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Jordanians Deliver Dirt-filled Coffins Instead of Bodies of Slain Israelis

April 3, 1968
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Two coffins which Jordanian authorities claimed contained the remains of Israeli soldiers killed in the March 21 military action against terrorist bases in Jordan were found to be filled with earth when they were opened at the Tel Hashomer hospital here, it was learned today. Israel has asked the International Red Cross to intervene with Jordan for the return of the two bodies.

The two earth-filled coffins and a third coffin containing the remains of an Israeli soldier, were exchanged for eleven Jordanian prisoners of war at the Allenby Bridge last Thursday. The flag-draped coffins were accorded full military honors and traditional ritual prayers were recited over them by the chief chaplain of Israel’s armed forces.

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