IDF reopens search for soldier Guy Hever who vanished in 1997

The IDF has resumed its search for missing soldier Guy Hever, who disappeared in August 1997 after leaving his base in the Golan Heights, it said Sunday.

The renewed investigative activities took place around two months ago, IDF sources said, but they were only revealed after KAN News reported the IDF had drained a water reservoir near where Hever was last spotted.

Several articles of clothing were found at the bottom of the reservoir, and the IDF has sent them to be examined, the sources said.

The IDF never gives up searching for missing soldiers and always hopes to return them to their families, it said in a press release.

The new investigative activities have not yet helped locate Hever or his remains, it said.

What happened to IDF soldier Guy Hever?

Hever, who was 20 at the time of his disappearance, was last seen walking away from his base on August 17, 1997. He was carrying a Galil rifle and had his dog tag and an ID card.

Hever’s base, Camp Thunder, was less than 24 kilometers from the Syrian border, and hours after his disappearance, a birdwatcher reported seeing a uniformed person near the border.

His mother, Rina Hever, told KAN she still believes her son is alive, contrary to the prevailing assessment among security officials.

Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.