After 27 years, no news on Israeli MIA's

JERUSALEM, June 12 (UPI) -- Today marks 27 years since three Israeli soldiers were captured and declared missing in a battle with Syrian forces in the first war in Lebanon.

On June 12,1982, in the battle of Sultan Yacoub, a Lebanese village located 3 miles (5 km) from the Syrian border, Israeli troops were ambushed by Syrian forces. Eighteen Israeli soldiers were killed and soldiers Yehuda Katz, Zvi Feldman and Zachary Baumel, who also has U.S. citizenship, were captured.

Two weeks ago, Baumel's father, Yona, passed away without knowing whether his son is alive or dead. Since his son's capture, Baumel did everything he could to learn what happened to him, and tried to verify reports that his son and the other two soldiers were being held captive in Syria.

Katz's father Yossi told the Yedioth Aharonoth Web site Friday that he refuses to give up hope, but fears he, too, will die without knowing what happened to his son.

"Baumel's death signaled that time does not stand still," he said. "A generation goes, another generation comes. … We refuse to give up hope and believe fate in the end will return our son Yehuda alive."

Eyal Ben Reuven, a general in the reserves, is with the Born To Freedom organization and maintains contact with the families of the three soldiers. He met Baumel three weeks prior to his death.

"Yona was extremely angry with the security establishment who failed to provide any solutions concerning his son's fate," he told the Web site. Ben Reuven said efforts to find the trio continue and some progress has been made. But he refused to divulge further details.

The Born To Freedom organization was set up for the sake of Israeli MIA's and their families. The organization has offered a $10 million reward to anyone who comes forward with information concerning the missing soldiers.