Israel Receives Remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin, Killed in 2014

Mon Nov 10 2025 20:47:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After more than a decade of conflict, Israel has received the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in 2014 during an ambush in Gaza. His return comes amidst ongoing hostilities and a recent ceasefire deal agreed upon by Hamas.

Israel has confirmed the return of Lt. Hadar Goldin’s remains, who died in 2014, following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The soldier's body was formally identified, providing closure to his family after an extended delay. His return is part of a wider exchange involving hostages and is emblematic of ongoing tensions in the region.

Israel has received the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in an ambush by Hamas in 2014 and whose body has been held in Gaza since then.

The Israeli military confirmed that Lt. Goldin, who was 23 when he died, was officially identified and will now be buried. He left behind grieving 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 concluded this past Sunday.

As part of this arrangement, Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and 24 out of 28 deceased hostages so far.

Lt. Goldin's father, Simcha Goldin, emphasized the importance of bringing home both hostages and soldiers to Israel, indicating that his family had longed for this day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that he and President Isaac Herzog kept a picture of Lt. Goldin in their offices for over a decade, ensuring that he was never forgotten. Netanyahu stated, we didn't give up on his return, expressing solidarity with Goldin's family and the Israeli people.

The return of Lt. Goldin's body involved significant efforts from the Israeli military, which included extensive intelligence and operational activities over the past decade amidst ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The military has offered condolences to Goldin's family and remains committed to returning all deceased hostages, as well as following through with the ongoing implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

Herzog assured the government would continue its efforts to bring home all remaining hostages, which currently includes four individuals—three Israelis and one Thai.

Lt. Goldin was the only deceased hostage whose remains were held in Gaza prior to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, that ignited the latest conflict.

His tragic death occurred during patrol duty near Rafah in southern Gaza, where he was ambushed by Hamas fighters shortly after a ceasefire began. The aftermath of his death had a devastating impact, resulting in significant loss of life from subsequent Israeli military responses aimed at recovering his body.

In the context of renewed violence post-October 2023 attack, the Israeli military conducted an extensive campaign leading to considerable casualties in Gaza, according to health officials in the territory.

As part of the broader ceasefire negotiations, Israel has released Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli and foreign hostages, showing a complex web of ongoing conflict and negotiation in the region.