Red Cross Receives Remains of Israeli Soldier Killed in 2014

UPDATE: The Red Cross has just received the remains of an Israeli soldier, Hadar Goldin, claimed by Hamas to have been killed in 2014. This development marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict and humanitarian efforts in the region.

Goldin’s body was reportedly discovered in a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Saturday, November 4, 2023, just as humanitarian tensions continue to escalate following the latest two-year war. Goldin was killed on August 1, 2014, just two hours after a ceasefire was declared, and has been held in Gaza since his death, becoming a focal point for ongoing negotiations and family anguish.

The remains will be transferred to Israel for identification at the national forensic institute. If confirmed as Goldin’s, this would leave four bodies of hostages still held in Gaza, intensifying the urgency of bringing them home. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted during a Cabinet meeting that the prolonged holding of Goldin’s body has caused “great agony” for his family, who will finally have the opportunity to give him a proper Jewish burial.

Goldin’s family has been at the forefront of a public campaign to bring their son home, alongside another family whose soldier was recovered earlier this year. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to recovering all Israelis held across enemy lines, including Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy executed in 1965.

Hamas has not commented on the potential for negotiating the release of Goldin’s body in exchange for the safe passage of over 100 militants trapped in Rafah. However, Israeli officials, including Gila Gamliel, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, have firmly stated that Israel will not engage in negotiations for a “deal within a deal.” Gamliel emphasized that existing agreements must be honored without further complications.

This emerging situation coincides with reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which cite a staggering rise in fatalities amid the ongoing conflict, with the death toll now at 69,176 Palestinians. The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, as hostages’ remains are exchanged—23 thus far since the ceasefire began last month. For every Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians, highlighting the complexities of the truce.

The emotional toll on families like Goldin’s cannot be overstated. Leah Goldin, Hadar’s mother, has described the pain of uncertainty as a “knife constantly making new cuts.” She has been vocal about the ethical and religious imperatives behind returning her son’s body, emphasizing the bond between Israel and its citizens, especially those who serve in the military.

As negotiations and exchanges continue, the implications for families affected by the ongoing conflict remain profound. The return of Goldin’s remains could signify a critical juncture in the U.S.-brokered truce, offering a glimmer of hope amid the turmoil.

Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds. The international community watches closely, with the potential for significant shifts in relations and humanitarian efforts in the region.