Israel has recovered the remains of soldier Hadar Goldin, killed in 2014, after 11 years of negotiations and family appeals.
Israel has confirmed the recovery of the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed during the 2014 Gaza war, marking the end of an 11-year campaign by his family for his return. Goldin, 23, was killed two hours after a ceasefire began in the 2014 conflict between Israel and Hamas. His remains, transferred by the Red Cross to Israeli forces in Gaza, were received on Sunday amid a faltering U.S.-brokered truce.
Goldin’s family had long pressed for his return after the military determined his death based on evidence found in a Hamas tunnel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recovery ended the “great agony of his family,” allowing them to give him a proper Jewish burial.
Israeli media earlier reported that Hamas delayed releasing Goldin’s body while negotiating safe passage for its militants trapped in Rafah. Meanwhile, Jared Kushner, son-in-law to former U.S. President Donald Trump, has returned to Israel to advance ceasefire efforts under a 20-point peace plan.
The war that began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack has killed 69,176 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.