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ISRAEL has finally obtained the remains of an IDF soldier after a wait of more than a decade.
Israeli officials announced that the remains received on Sunday from Hamas belong to Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, an army officer who was killed during the 2014 Gaza war.
Hadar Goldin, an Israeli army officer killed in southern Gaza in the 2014 Israel-Hamas warCredit: Reuters
Goldin’s remains have been held in Gaza since his death.
Until recently, Hamas had never acknowledged his death or the possession of his remains.
The Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, stated earlier that they had discovered Goldin’s remains in a tunnel in Rafah the day prior.
Israeli media reported on Saturday that Israel had permitted Hamas and Red Cross personnel to search in an area under Israeli control in Rafah to find Goldin’s remains.
“Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the coffin of a fallen hostage that was transferred to IDF and Shin Bet personnel inside the Gaza Strip,” the prime minister’s office stated.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked: “Lieutenant Hadar Goldin fell in heroic combat during Operation Protective Edge” in 2014.
“His body was taken by Hamas, which refused to return him throughout this entire period.”
Goldin is the 24th deceased hostage whose remains have been returned by Hamas since the ceasefire began on October 10.
At the time of his death, Goldin, aged 23, was part of an Israeli unit assigned to locate and destroy Hamas tunnels when he was killed on August 1, 2014, just hours after a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire came into effect.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian stated that Goldin had been killed in an ambush.
“The terrorists emerged from a tunnel in Rafah and attacked IDF soldiers,” Bedrosian informed journalists on Sunday.
“Hadar was shot and killed during this Hamas attack, with terrorists dragging his body back into the tunnel.”
Previous attempts to recover his remains through prisoner swaps had been unsuccessful.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Lieutenant Hadar Goldin?
Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was an Israeli army officer who was killed during the 2014 Gaza war. His remains were recently returned to Israel after being held by Hamas for over a decade.
Why did it take so long to recover Goldin's remains?
Goldin's remains were held by Hamas, which did not acknowledge his death or the possession of his remains for many years, complicating recovery efforts.
What was the context of his death?
Hadar Goldin was killed during an ambush by Hamas on August 1, 2014, shortly after a humanitarian ceasefire was established. He was part of a unit tasked with locating and destroying Hamas tunnels.
