Debunking the rumors: Eli Cohen's remains HAVE NOT been recovered from Syria 

Reports circulating about the return of legendary Israeli spy Eli Cohen's remains from Syria are unfounded, defense officials clarified Tuesday. The rumors had intensified following Prime Minister Netanyahu's request to cancel his court testimony today.

This isn't the first time that speculation about the return of Cohen, perhaps Israel's most famous spy, has swept through social media. Defense officials quickly moved to dismiss the rumors, confirming that, unfortunately, there has been no breakthrough in recovering his remains.

The latest round of rumors appears to have been triggered by Netanyahu's last-minute cancellation of his scheduled court appearance - a development that sparked widespread speculation about its cause.

Similar unfounded rumors have circulated before. About five years ago, claims emerged from Syrian opposition sources suggesting that a Russian delegation had left Syria with a coffin containing Cohen's remains. Those reports also proved to be false.

Cohen, who was executed in Syria after being exposed as an Israeli spy, is considered one of Israel's greatest intelligence assets. Former Prime Minister Levi Eshkol once said that "Eli Cohen's actions saved Israel many military divisions, and the intelligence he provided before the Six-Day War was invaluable, contributing to the great victory in the Six-Day War."