UPDATE: The Red Cross has just received the remains of a body that Hamas claims is Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed in 2014. This shocking development comes as the remains are set to be transferred to Israel for identification, marking a significant moment in the ongoing conflict.
Hamas reported on Saturday, November 11, 2023, that they discovered Goldin’s body in a tunnel located in Rafah, Gaza. Goldin was killed on August 1, 2014, just two hours after a ceasefire took effect during that year’s war between Israel and Hamas. His body has been held in Gaza for nearly 11 years, making this announcement particularly poignant for his family.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the cabinet, stating that the prolonged holding of Goldin’s body has caused “great agony” for his family, who will finally be able to give him a proper Jewish burial. The return of Goldin’s remains would close a painful chapter for his family and represent a crucial development in the ongoing U.S.-brokered truce.
If confirmed, Goldin’s body would be the first of its kind returned since the escalation of hostilities last month, leaving four other Israeli hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will continue its efforts to recover the bodies of Israelis held across enemy lines.
Background reports suggest that Hamas has been delaying the release of Goldin’s body in hopes of negotiating safe passage for over 100 militants trapped by Israeli forces in Rafah. However, Israeli officials, including Gila Gamliel, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, have rejected the idea of a “deal within a deal,” asserting that existing agreements must be honored.
As of now, Hamas has not commented on any potential exchange regarding its fighters in the so-called yellow zone, where clashes are reportedly taking place. Since the ceasefire began, militants have returned the remains of 23 hostages to Israel, as part of the truce agreement.
According to Ahmed Dheir, director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the total number of remains returned has reached 300, with 89 already identified. In a grim update, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that the total number of Palestinians killed during the ongoing conflict has surged to 69,176.
This latest development is not just a matter of military strategy; it resonates deeply with the families affected and the broader community. The return of Hadar Goldin’s remains may provide a measure of closure to a family that has lived in agony for over a decade.
As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes will be on the Red Cross and Israeli authorities for updates on the identification process and any potential implications for the ongoing conflict. The international community remains watchful for any further developments stemming from this significant moment in the Israel-Hamas saga.
