Israel has received the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed by Hamas in 2014, after it had been held in Gaza for nearly a decade. The Israeli military confirmed that Lt. Goldin, who was 23 at the time of his death, has been formally identified and will be buried. He is survived by his parents, a sister, two brothers, and a fiancée.
Hamas’s armed wing announced the return of Lt. Goldin’s body as part of a ceasefire agreement. This deal also included the release of 20 living hostages and 24 out of 28 deceased hostages during its initial phase. Lt. Goldin’s father expressed a sentiment that “victory means bringing home the hostages and our soldiers to Israel,” while Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, noted their commitment to keeping Lt. Goldin’s image in their offices throughout the years.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated that retrieving Lt. Goldin required extensive intelligence and operational efforts over a decade, particularly during recent conflicts with Hamas. Both Netanyahu and Herzog emphasized ongoing efforts to recover all remaining hostages, notably three Israeli and one Thai individual still in Gaza.
Lt. Goldin, from Kfar Saba, is the only known deceased hostage whose remains were held prior to the escalation of conflict following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. His initial death occurred during a firefight near Rafah in southern Gaza shortly after a ceasefire was established in 2014. The IDF responded to his abduction with significant military action, which resulted in civilian casualties.
The current situation in Gaza is complex, with significant casualties reported. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, approximately 69,176 individuals have died due to Israeli attacks since October 2023. A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. has seen exchanges of prisoners and increased aid to Gaza, but incidents of violence persist on both sides.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2kp3yjy8q7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss