Tel Aviv, Israel – The State of Israel has confirmed the recovery of the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier who tragically fell in 2014. The International Red Cross facilitated the transfer after Hamas declared they would release Goldin’s body, which they held captive for eleven years.
The remains are being transferred to Israel where the national forensic institute will carry out the task of confirming identification. If confirmed, Goldin’s body would bring the total number of remaining bodies of hostages in Gaza to four.
Hadar Goldin was killed on August 1, 2014, shortly after a ceasefire took effect. His capture and the withholding of his body have been a source of immense pain for his family and the entire nation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the matter, emphasizing the importance of bringing home all Israelis held across enemy lines, including the remains of Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy who was executed in Damascus in 1965.
Holding Goldin’s body for so long caused great agony to his family. He now has the opportunity for a proper Jewish burial. The Prime Minister also stated that the country would continue trying to bring home the bodies of Israelis still being held.
Reports have suggested that Hamas may have been attempting to use Goldin’s remains as leverage in negotiations. However, Gila Gamliel, a member of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party, has made it clear that Israel is not negotiating for a deal within a deal and will abide by the agreements already in place.
The return of Hadar Goldin’s remains is a significant event for Israel, a nation that values the sanctity of life and the importance of returning its soldiers to their families for proper burial. It also underscores the ongoing challenges Israel faces in securing peace and stability in a region marked by conflict.
