Israel has finally recovered the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in 2014 during fighting with Hamas in Gaza. His remains had been held in Gaza for more than a decade before being returned as part of the latest ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Lt Goldin’s body was formally identified and will be laid to rest in Israel. He was 23 at the time of his death and left behind his parents, a sister, two brothers, and a fiancée. Hamas announced earlier that it would hand over his remains under the current ceasefire deal, which also includes the return of hostages. According to the IDF, Hamas has so far released all 20 living hostages and returned 24 of 28 deceased individuals under the first stage of the agreement.
Israel Receives Body of Soldier Held in Gaza Since 2014
Lt Goldin’s father, Simcha Goldin, expressed relief and emotion upon receiving the news, saying that victory for Israel means bringing home both the living hostages and fallen soldiers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog both said they had kept Lt Goldin’s photo in their offices for 11 years, symbolizing the country’s commitment to bring him home. Netanyahu stated that Israel “never gave up” on returning its missing soldier, acknowledging the suffering and hope of the Goldin family. The IDF said that retrieving Lt Goldin’s body involved years of intelligence work and operational efforts, especially during the past two years of renewed conflict with Hamas. Military officials extended their condolences to the family and reaffirmed their determination to bring back the remaining deceased hostages.
President Herzog added that the Israeli government will continue to act relentlessly until all captives are returned. Of the four hostages still in Gaza, three are Israeli citizens and one is Thai. Lt Goldin, a resident of Kfar Saba, was the only deceased Israeli soldier whose body remained in Gaza before the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023 reignited the war. He was killed on 1 August 2014 during a patrol near Rafah, just after a ceasefire had begun. His unit was ambushed by Hamas fighters, and his body was taken into an underground tunnel following a deadly firefight. In response, Israeli forces launched a massive bombardment on Rafah in an attempt to prevent the abduction, causing significant civilian casualties.
Following the 2023 attacks, Israel began a new military campaign in Gaza. Since then, more than 69,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered credible by the United Nations. Under the first phase of the ongoing truce, Israel has released over 250 Palestinian prisoners and more than 1,700 detainees from Gaza. In exchange, Hamas has returned the bodies of Israeli hostages, including Lt Goldin, and several foreign nationals. The ceasefire agreement also includes a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a pause in combat, although sporadic clashes have continued.
source:BBC
