Sergeant Baumel’s body was then interred at the military cemetery at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, with thousands gathering for the Jewish burial ceremony.
The Syrian regime has long refused to return the body of Eli Cohen, who managed to infiltrate the highest military and political echelons in Syria over three years before being unmasked and hanged in a public square in Damascus in 1965.
Israeli cabinet ministers told Israeli media that they were unaware of such developments at this time.
In July last year, Mossad managed to recover Eli Cohen’s wristwatch, which he had worn in Syria until the day he was captured. The watch was returned to the spy’s wife and children.
Yossi Cohen, director of the Mossad, said: “We remember Eli Cohen and do not forget.
"His heritage, of dedication, determination, courage and love of the homeland, is our heritage. We remember and have maintained a close connection over the years with his family, Nadia and the children."
