Hamas has returned the remains of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014 during the Gaza war and held for over 4,000 days. Israel confirmed the handover, which was part of a U.S.-brokered peace deal. Goldin’s family, who spent 11 years campaigning for his return, were notified ahead of the announcement.
The remains were identified by the Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine and transported to Israel through the Red Cross. Goldin, then 23 years old, was serving in the Israel Defense Forces’ Givati Brigade when he was killed in a 2014 conflict. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is committed to returning its fallen soldiers, emphasizing the importance of honoring such legacies.
Since the ceasefire, Hamas has released 23 hostages, with Israel returning the remains of 15 Palestinians for each hostage, reflecting a complex exchange of bodies in the ongoing conflict. Goldin’s family has consistently called for an end to the detention of the dead, stressing the need for closure for both sides.
Goldin’s body was held in Gaza for 4,118 days. As part of the U.S.-brokered peace deal, the Hamas terror group is expected to return the remains of all its hostages, most of whom were taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks.
Goldin’s parents spent 11 years spearheading a campaign to bring their son home for burial. The war began with the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, in which 251 people were kidnapped and 1,200 killed in Israel, mostly civilians.
Earlier this year, the Israeli military retrieved the body of another soldier who was killed in the 2014 war. Israel initially believed Goldin was kidnapped and being held captive, though later determined that the soldier had been killed after finding evidence – including a blood-soaked shirt and prayer fringes – in a tunnel where Goldin was taken.