Remains of Israeli soldier found

• Tweet

DALIAT AL-CARMEL, Israel, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The family of an Israeli soldier missing since May 2005 was informed Thursday remains found in a forest two weeks ago had been positively identified as him.

A statement released by the Israeli army said the remains of Pvt. Majdi Halabi, a Druze soldier, were discovered two weeks ago by a forest worker in the Carmel Forest near Daliat al-Carmel, his hometown, and had been identified by the Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Senior military and police officials informed Halabi's family of the findings and Israeli police will continue to investigate the circumstances leading to his death, the army said.

Israel's Channel 2 television said police had not ruled out the possibility the soldier committed suicide but were investigating other options.

Halabi was last seen at a bus station in his hometown, heading for the military base where he served. He was declared missing by the army six days later.

The Born To Freedom Foundation, which assists in searching for missing Israeli soldiers, offered a $10 million reward for anyone with information on Halabi's disappearance.

Halabi was to be buried in a military funeral in his hometown Friday.