In Gaza, the Hamas terrorist organization handed over another body to the Red Cross. The forensic institute in Tel Aviv has now determined that these are the remains of Hadar Goldin, who was kidnapped in 2014.
The Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas has handed over the body of an Israeli soldier who was killed about eleven years ago to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). After an investigation by the Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv, it has now been proven that Israeli soldier Hadar Goldin was kidnapped in the Gaza Strip in 2014, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. Goldin’s body is the body that has been held hostage in Gaza for the longest time.
A ceasefire agreement reached in October required Hamas to hand over the remains of 28 dead hostages to Israel. Now there are four bodies left in the Gaza Strip.
Goldin, a 23-year-old officer with the rank of lieutenant, was killed in an attack by Hamas fighters on August 1, 2014 during a ceasefire in the Gaza war and was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. His body has since been kept in a restricted beach area. The family held a memorial service in August 2014, and his body was still in Gaza at that time.
Hamas announced on Saturday that it had found Goldin’s body in a tunnel in the southern city of Rafah. The Hostage Relatives Forum expressed its condolences to the family. “In addition to sadness and the knowledge that their hearts will never be whole, Hadar’s return brings comfort to a family that has lived in tormenting uncertainty and doubt for more than 11 years,” the hostage forum said in a statement.
“He was sensitive, humble and a tenacious commander.”
The soldiers who died as a result of violating the ceasefire were people full of inner light and full of love for their country and people. “He was sensitive, humble, and a tenacious troop commander who always looked out for others,” the hostage forum said.
According to Israeli media reports, in return for handing over Goldin’s body, Hamas demanded safe passage for dozens of Hamas terrorists who were said to be in a tunnel in the Israeli-controlled Gaza Strip.
However, according to media reports, Chief of General Staff Ejal Zamir told the security cabinet on Thursday that there was no agreement on the issue. The terrorists must surrender “or we will eliminate them,” Zamir said. However, a statement from Hamas’ military wing said that surrender was not an option for the organization. Hamas demands that international mediators find a compromise and ensure the continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza.
dpa/jho
