Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday (November 9) that Hamas had returned the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who was killed and detained by them during the 2014 Gaza War. This marks an end to Israel’s longest hostage ordeal.
Goldin’s body was transferred to the military by the Red Cross and has been identified by forensic experts at the Abu Kabir Institute to confirm his identity, after which the IDF informed Goldin’s family.
Hamas stated on Saturday (November 8) that Goldin’s body was found in a tunnel in Rafah, an area currently under the control of the Israeli military. Over the past year, the Israeli military has searched the area without precise information on the location.
Goldin was killed on August 1, 2014, at 9:05 am. Hamas gunmen emerged from a tunnel in southeastern Rafah just an hour after a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire was announced, attacking the reconnaissance unit of the Givati Brigade, killing three soldiers including Goldin and dragging their bodies into the tunnel.
Goldin was only 23 years old when he died. Born in Eshhar and raised in Kfar Saba, he served as a counselor in Bnei Akiva, and studied at the Bnei David pre-military academy in Eli.
Following exceptional performance in officer training, Goldin served as a platoon commander in the Givati Brigade. Months before his death, he proposed to his fiancée, Edna Sarussi.
A Palestinian source told Kan Broadcasting Corporation that with the support of the United States, Turkey will force Hamas to return the remaining four hostage bodies.
The Hostages and Missing Persons Forum stated that Goldin’s return has brought comfort to his family.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office vowed to continue efforts to retrieve the bodies of the four deceased hostages still in Gaza: Meny Godard, Sergeant Ran Gvili, Dror Or, and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
Netanyahu, holding a photo of Goldin in a video, mentioned that photos of him along with Shaul have always been in his office, “I swear I will bring them home, never giving up for a moment.” “Once we go into Gaza, we can do more. Today, Hadar Goldin has come home.” “We won’t rest until the last hostage comes home.”
According to The Times of Israel, many Israeli leaders have highly praised Goldin’s bravery. President Isaac Herzog referred to Goldin as an “Israeli hero.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz described Goldin’s return as a “deeply painful but also deeply comforting moment.”
Public Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said, “Hadar exemplified the highest heroism in the face of life and death choices.”