Body of IDF soldier Lt Hadar Goldin returns to Israel after being held in Gaza by Hamas since 2014 war

Eleven years after IDF Lieutenant Hadar Goldin was killed in the Gaza Strip, his body was returned to Israel on Sunday after Hamas terrorists transferred his remains via the Red Cross.

"Following the completion of the identification process by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives have informed the family of the fallen hostage, Lt. Hadar Goldin, that their loved one has been returned to Israel and his identity has been confirmed," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated on Sunday evening.

"The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Goldin family and of all the families of the fallen hostages," the PMO added.

On Saturday evening, the Hamas terrorist organization announced that it had located the body of Goldin, who was killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and whose body has been held in Gaza since then. 

At about 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, the IDF announced that Hamas had transferred a body bag with remains to the International Red Cross. An hour later, it released a statement confirming that the coffin had crossed the border into Israel and was en route to the National Institute for Forensic Medicine, "where identification procedures will be carried out."

On Sunday evening, the PMO asserted: "The government and the entire national system of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and tirelessly working to bring back all of our fallen hostages for a proper burial in their homeland."

"The terrorist organization Hamas is required to uphold its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until all the hostages are brought home – every last one of them."

Hamas claimed Goldin's body was discovered after searches in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood near Rafah, in southern Gaza. The terror group presented video footage of the ostensible recovery on Qatar's Al Jazeera network, where armed Hamas fighters could be seen escorting a group of people clothed in white protective gear.

The group is seen entering a tunnel in a large sand pit, and later, the remains are seen in a white plastic body bag. 

Some Israeli analysts said the Al Jazeera video appears to be staged, as the terror group is apparently attempting to tie the return of Goldin’s remains to a deal for safe passage for 200 Hamas fighters trapped behind the Yellow Line. According to an earlier report on Israel's Channel 12 News, the U.S. was reportedly pressuring the Israeli government to close a deal in which Goldin’s remains would be returned in exchange for the safe passage of the trapped militants. 

Yesterday, Hamas announced they had found a “new” fallen hostage.

Then they claimed it might be IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, who was kidnapped 11 years ago.

They released a video showing Hamas terrorists in the tunnels supposedly “discovering” the body. Once again, the body bag is… pic.twitter.com/ykxzyZcQZd

— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) November 9, 2025

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated last week – amid pressure from both coalition partners and opposition leaders – that he would not agree to grant safe passage to the Hamas fighters.

Following Saturday's announcement from Hamas, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the Goldin family, expressing his belief that the remains recovered were indeed those of Lieutenant Goldin.

At the time, Goldin's family released a statement, saying: “An entire country is waiting for Hadar to be returned to us,” the family said. “This is a mission that we must and can fulfill for the sake of all of us. The Chief of Staff arrived at the end of Shabbat to update us on the tremendous efforts to free the hostages and we salute everyone involved in this national mission.” 

“We are waiting for news of official confirmation that Hadar has returned to Israel. We do not give up on anyone in the country, ever. We ask that you remain calm. Until it is final, it is not over,” the family's statement continued. 

Initially, following Hamas' failure to return Goldin’s remains on Sunday morning, an Israeli official said it was a violation of the ceasefire deal. “Israel views with great severity the violation of the delay in the return of the kidnapped soldier Hadar Goldin, who Hamas claims is in its hands,” the official stated. “Israel demands his immediate return.” 

During Operation Protective Edge in July 2014, Goldin served as a team commander in the Givati Infantry Brigade. On Aug. 1, 2014, shortly after a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire took effect, Hamas violated the truce by attacking IDF soldiers from a tunnel. As fighting erupted, a Givati Brigade unit moved to inspect the tunnel entrance and was ambushed by Hamas gunmen. Three soldiers, including Goldin, were killed. Goldin's personal weapon will reportedly also be returned to Israel, after Hamas paraded it as a trophy and ceremoniously awarded it to slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Goldin was 23 years old at the time of his death and had recently become engaged to his girlfriend, Edna Seroussi. Just days before his death, he had finished the wedding invitations, his family said. In the 11 years since his death and the kidnapping of his body, his family has pleaded with the Israeli government to secure the release of his remains as part of previous ceasefire agreements with Hamas after multiple rounds of clashes and IDF operations in Gaza.