After 11 Years: The Body of Lt. Hadar Goldin has been Returned HOME from THE Gaza STRIP

The body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was returned to Israel today (Sunday), more than eleven years after he was killed and taken into Gaza during Operation Protective Edge. Goldin, who was 23 at the time of his death, served as a platoon commander in the Givati Brigade Reconnaissance Unit. He was from Kfar Saba and is survived by his parents, Simcha and Leah, his twin brother Tzur, and siblings Ayelet and Menachem. Shortly before his death, he had become engaged.

Goldin was killed during combat in Rafah, when Hamas terrorists emerged from a tunnel during an operation targeting Hamas’ underground network. Alongside him fell Major Benya Sarel and Sergeant Liel Gideoni. Goldin’s body was seized and taken underground, and for years his family fought a relentless public and diplomatic campaign to bring him home. In 2016, the IDF formally recognized him as a fallen soldier whose place of burial was unknown.

“Hadar is Home. We Never Abandoned Him.”

Standing outside the family home, father Simcha Goldin said:

“It was the IDF that brought Hadar back to the grave of Israel, and no one else. We have walked for over 11 years with the values that say soldiers are not abandoned on the battlefield. Victory begins with bringing our fighters home.”

Mother Leah spoke with visible pain and dignity:

“We have known disappointment after disappointment. Those who failed us were the decision-makers in Israel. But we did not give up — and we say to the nation: do not give up. Not now. Not ever.”

Leaders Honor Goldin and His Family’s Struggle

President Isaac Herzog wrote:

“After eleven painful and too long years, Lieutenant
Hadar Goldin, a hero of Israel, returned to the soil of the land today.
The family’s unwavering faith and their struggle have been a symbol of love, honor, and Zionism.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated:

“We did not give up. Thanks to the heroism of IDF fighters and determined decisions, Hadar is returning home.”

Hamas Signaled Return After Pressure

Earlier this weekend, Hamas announced it would transfer Goldin’s body, after claiming it had been located in a tunnel in Rafah. Israeli sources say Jerusalem conditioned discussions regarding the relocation of 150–200 Hamas operatives trapped in the “Yellow Line” zone on returning Goldin.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the White House conveyed to Hamas that returning the body could facilitate its requests in the area.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir personally visited the Goldin family last night to brief them.

One by One: The Return of the Fallen

Goldin's return follows the gradual transfer of bodies of kidnapped hostages and fallen soldiers in recent months. Among those returned: Yossi Sharabi, Guy Iloz, Bipin Joshi, Capt. Daniel Peretz, Uriel Baruch, Sgt. Tamir Nimrudi, Eitan Levy, Inbar Heyman, Sgt. Muhammad al-Atrash, Eliyahu Margalit, Ronen Engel, Sontaya Okarsari, Tal Haimi, Aryeh Zalmanovich, Tamir Adar, Amiram Cooper, Sahar Baruch, Col. Assaf Hammi, Sgt. Oz Daniel, Capt. Omar Nowtra, Sgt. Itay Chen, Joshua Luito Molal, and Lior Rudaif.

Four Remain in Gaza

Four bodies are still being held by Hamas:

• Sergeant Major Ran Gueili

• Manny Goddard

• Dror Or

• Suthitsak Rintalak, a Thai citizen

Their families continue to wait — and continue to fight.