Israel Recovers Remains of Soldier Killed in 2014
Israel has confirmed the return of the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier who was killed during the 2014 conflict in the Gaza Strip. This development marks the end of a painful chapter for the country and for Goldin’s family, who had campaigned for over a decade to bring his body back home. The 23-year-old soldier was killed just two hours after a ceasefire was declared in that year’s war between Israel and Hamas. His family celebrated the 4,000-day mark this year, highlighting the long struggle to recover his remains.
Goldin’s death was determined by Israeli military forces based on evidence found in a tunnel where his body was taken, including a blood-soaked shirt and prayer fringes. His remains were the only ones left in Gaza from the 2014 conflict, while the remains of four hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 attack are still held in the region.
The return of Goldin’s remains was a significant step in the U.S.-brokered truce, which has faced challenges due to the slow return of hostage bodies and ongoing clashes between Israeli troops and militants in Gaza. Dozens of people gathered along intersections where the police convoy transported the remains to the national forensic institute, offering their final respects. Later, many more gathered outside the home of Goldin’s parents, who expressed their disappointment over the years but also acknowledged that it was Israel’s military that brought their son home—implying criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu addressed the Cabinet meeting, stating that holding the body for so long caused “great agony” for the family, who could now give their son a Jewish burial. Earlier this year, Israel also recovered the remains of another soldier, Oron Shaul, who was killed in 2014.
Kushner Returns to Israel for Ceasefire Efforts
Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump, has returned to Israel to support efforts to advance the ceasefire. A source familiar with the matter confirmed the visit, though it has not been publicly announced. Kushner, a key architect of Washington’s 20-point ceasefire plan, played a central role in the agreement that took effect on October 10. This deal focused on halting fighting, releasing all hostages, and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, details about the second phase, including the deployment of an international security force, disarming Hamas, and governing postwar Gaza, remain unresolved.
Kushner was involved in negotiations to secure safe passage for 150-200 trapped Hamas militants in exchange for surrendering their weapons, according to a person close to the talks. Israeli media reported that Hamas had delayed the release of Goldin’s body in hopes of negotiating safe passage for more than 100 militants surrounded by Israeli forces in Rafah.
Gila Gamliel, Israel’s minister of innovation, science, and technology, emphasized that the country was not negotiating for a “deal within a deal.” She stated that agreements with guaranteed implementation by mediators should not be reopened. Meanwhile, Hamas did not comment on a possible exchange for its fighters in the so-called yellow zone controlled by Israeli forces, though they acknowledged ongoing clashes there.
A Mother’s Pain and the Ethical Struggle
Goldin’s mother, Leah Goldin, described the family’s experience as a “pseudo-funeral” at the urging of Israel’s military rabbis. The uncertainty of her son’s fate felt like a “knife constantly making new cuts.” Leah emphasized the ethical and religious value of returning her son’s body, calling it part of the sacred pact Israel makes with its citizens who serve in the military.
“Hadar is a soldier who went to combat and they abandoned him, and they destroyed his humanitarian rights and ours as well,” she said. Her family often felt isolated in their struggle to bring Hadar, a talented artist who had recently become engaged, home for burial.
After the October 7 attack, the Goldin family attempted to assist hundreds of families whose loved ones were taken into Gaza. Initially, they were shunned as advocacy for the hostages grew. “We were a symbol of failure,” Leah recalled. “They told us, ‘we aren’t like you, our kids will come back soon.’”
Palestinian Remains and the Human Toll
For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has released the remains of 15 Palestinians. Ahmed Dheir, director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, reported that 300 Palestinian remains have now been returned, with 89 identified. Around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the October 7 attack on southern Israel, and 251 people were kidnapped.
On Saturday, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has risen to 69,176. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records considered reliable by independent experts.