Israel
Practice Relating to Rule 114. Return of the Remains and Personal Effects of the Dead
According to the Report on the Practice of Israel, in the
Abu-Rijwa case in 2000, the Israel Defense Forces carried out DNA identification tests when asked by family members to repatriate remains, implying that when these remains are identified correctly, they will be returned.
In 1975 and 1976, the exchange and repatriation of mortal remains of both civilians and combatants were carried out between Egypt and Israel in the presence of ICRC delegates.
Israel’s Manual on the Laws of War (1998) states: “It is incumbent on each party to … hand over to the other side half of the dog-tag worn by the fallen soldier as well as his personal effects.”
Israel’s Manual on the Rules of Warfare (2006) states: “Each side has the duty to record details of the fallen and details of the death, and to send to the other side half the identity tag worn by the fallen, his personal possessions and the death certificate.”
The Manual on the Rules of Warfare (2006) is a second edition of the Manual on the Laws of War (1998).