Israel Hamas hands over the body of a soldier abducted in 2014
The Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas has handed over the body of an Israeli soldier who was killed around eleven years ago to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Following an investigation by the Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, it has now been proven that the body is that of the Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who was abducted in the Gaza Strip in 2014, announced the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Goldin's body was the longest held body of a hostage in the Gaza Strip.
09.11.2025, 15:36
09.11.2025, 19:10
SDA
The ceasefire agreement reached in October requires Hamas to hand over the mortal remains of a total of 28 hostages killed to Israel. Four bodies are now still in the Gaza Strip.
Goldin, a 23-year-old officer with the rank of lieutenant at the time, was killed in an attack by Hamas fighters on August 1, 2014 during a ceasefire in the then Gaza war and abducted to the Gaza Strip. His body had been kept in the sealed-off coastal area ever since. The family had held a funeral service in August 2014, although his remains were still in Gaza at the time.
Hamas announced on Saturday that it had found Goldin's body in a tunnel in the southern city of Rafah. The Hostage Relatives Forum expressed its sympathy for the family. "In addition to the grief and the knowledge that their hearts will never be whole again, Hadar's return brings a measure of comfort to a family that lived with agonizing uncertainty and doubt for more than eleven years," a statement from the Hostages Forum said.
Known as a prudent troop commander
The soldier who died as a result of violating a ceasefire was a man full of inner light and love for his country and his people. "He was sensitive, modest and a determined troop commander who always took care of others," the Hostage Forum said.
According to Israeli media reports, Hamas had demanded free passage for dozens of Hamas terrorists believed to be in a tunnel located in an Israeli-controlled area of the Gaza Strip in return for the handover of Goldin's body.
Deal or no deal?
However, according to media reports, Chief of General Staff Ejal Zamir told the security cabinet on Thursday that there was no deal on the issue. The terrorists must surrender "or we will eliminate them", Zamir said. However, a statement from the Hamas military wing said that surrender was not an option for the organization. The international mediators must find a compromise and ensure the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire, Hamas demanded.
