Hamas Returns Remains of Israeli Soldier
On Sunday, Hamas returned the remains of an Israeli soldier who was killed during combat in the Gaza Strip more than a decade ago. The body had been held within the Palestinian territory since then.
Forensic analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to 23-year-old Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who lost his life on August 1, 2014, shortly after a ceasefire concluded the conflict known as Operation Protective Edge between Hamas and Israel.
Officials from the Israel Defense Forces stated that Lt. Goldin was killed while leading his reconnaissance unit in an operation aimed at neutralizing a tunnel utilized by Hamas fighters.
Following an ambush on his patrol, militants took Lt. Goldin’s body back to Rafah in Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed that this moment brings both deep sorrow and a sense of closure for the Goldin family, who will now have a grave to mourn their loss.
The family of Lt. Goldin has campaigned tirelessly for over 11 years to secure his return to Israel. They have frequently criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for not exerting enough pressure on Hamas regarding their son’s remains.
In a statement released by the family, Simcha Goldin remarked, “We brought Lt. Hadar Goldin, our son and fighter, to be buried in Israel. We achieved this because our soldiers fought to bring warriors back from the battlefield.” He emphasized that it was solely the IDF that facilitated Hadar’s return home.
Mr. Goldin noted that true victory in Gaza would remain elusive until five hostages still held there are also returned to Israel. Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire began on October 10, Palestinian militants have released the remains of 23 hostages taken over the past two years.
“This war has shown us that when we fight for our soldiers, we succeed,” he stated. “Victory means bringing home both hostages and our soldiers.”
Hamas has indicated difficulties in retrieving some remains due to rubble caused by Israeli attacks during the ongoing conflict.
Sharren Haskel, Israel’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, has met with Lt. Goldin’s parents multiple times since their son’s abduction. She praised their relentless pursuit for justice and described Lea Goldin as an extraordinary woman embodying strength and resilience on behalf of an entire nation.
