Decade-Long Wait Ends: Soldier's Remains Returned to Israel
After eleven painful years, the remains believed to be those of Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin have been recovered from Gaza and transferred to Israeli authorities. The handover, facilitated by the Red Cross, marks a significant development in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Operation Details and Recovery
The Israeli prime minister's office confirmed on Sunday, November 9, 2025, that their forces had received the remains from the Red Cross in Gaza. According to the statement, the body was immediately transferred to Israel's national forensic institute in Tel Aviv for formal identification.
Hamas had earlier announced it was handing over Goldin's body. The army officer was killed during Israel's 2014 war in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later stated the remains were believed to be Goldin's, bringing closure to one of Israel's longest-running military cases.
Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's armed wing, revealed that Goldin's body was discovered Saturday in a tunnel located in the Yebna refugee camp in Rafah, southern Gaza. This recovery operation marks the first such activity reported in Rafah since the ceasefire took effect on October 10.
Ceasefire Context and Ongoing Tensions
Despite the current ceasefire, the situation remains tense. The city of Rafah remains largely under Israeli control, and residents have not been permitted to return to their homes. In a separate statement, the Brigades accused Israel of being "fully responsible for the clashes with our fighters in Rafah" and urged mediators to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire.
The group emphasized that recovering additional bodies would require more personnel and technical equipment, suggesting further operations might depend on maintaining the fragile truce.
Before Sunday's handover, Hamas had returned the remains of 23 hostages to Israel. If the latest remains are confirmed to be Goldin's, four bodies would still remain in Gaza - three Israelis and one Thai national abducted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Meanwhile, Gaza health authorities reported that Israel has released approximately 300 Palestinian bodies, most still unidentified. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued strikes and demolitions in Gaza, with the ministry placing the overall death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 at 69,169.
