Jerusalem – Israeli forces have received the remains of a long‑held hostage from the Red Cross in Gaza, officials said on Sunday. The body is believed to belong to Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin, who was captured when he was killed in the 2014 Gaza war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the remains likely match Goldin’s. They will be taken to Israel’s National Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for identification.
Goldin’s body was uncovered Saturday in a tunnel at Yebna refugee camp in Rafah, a region that is now largely under Israeli control. Hamas’s armed wing, the al‑Qassam Brigades, said the body was recovered during the first operation in Rafah since the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10. The Brigades also blamed Israel for clashes with its fighters and urged mediators to keep the ceasefire alive, stating that more people and equipment are needed to retrieve the remaining bodies.
Israel had already returned the remains of 23 hostages earlier in the week. If Goldin’s remains are verified, four bodies would still be in Gaza – three Israelis and one Thai national taken during the Hamas‑led attack on Oct. 7. Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities report that Israel has released roughly 300 Palestinian bodies, many still unidentified. The ministry says the total death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 stands at 69,169.
The return of Goldin’s remains marks a significant moment for his family and the Israeli public, who have long demanded closure on the episode that lasted 11 years. The event underscores the ongoing challenges in the Gaza Strip, where fighting continues despite the ceasefire’s terms.
Source: ianslive
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