Posted on 11/09/25
| News Source: Arutz-7
Tel Aviv, Israel - Nov. 9, 2025 - Following the completion of the identification process by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, IDF representatives informed the family of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin that his body has been returned for burial.
Lieutenant Hadar Goldin fell in combat during Operation “Protective Edge”, following a violation of the ceasefire by the Hamas terrorist organization in Rafah on August 1st, 2014, during which he was abducted. Since that day, Hadar has been held by Hamas in Gaza. For more than 4,118 nights and days, his family has never stopped fighting for his return, and the people of Israel have walked beside them in their struggle.
Hadar was 23 years old at the time of his death. He left behind parents, a sister, two brothers, and a fiancée.
The effort to retrieve him involved extensive intelligence efforts, alongside operational activities on the ground, led by the IDF and ISA. These efforts continued throughout the past decade and during the war.
Hadar and his twin Tzur were inseparable. Together they learned to play music and paint, served as counselors in the Bnei Akiva youth movement, and studied at the Bnei David pre-military academy in the village of Eli. Hadar excelled throughout his military service, graduating with distinction from the combat officers’ course. After completing the course, he returned to his unit, the Givati reconnaissance battalion, as a platoon commander, leading his soldiers in the battle where he fell.
Hadar was known as a person of pure light and generosity, filled with love for the land and for people. He was a sensitive, humble, and determined commander who always looked after others. Hadar was only 23 years old when he fell.
President Isaac Herzog commented, "After eleven long and painful years, too long, Lt. Hadar Goldin, a hero of Israel, has today been returned to his homeland."
"In the eleven years that have passed since he fell in battle and was abducted during Operation Protective Edge, the image of Hadar has stood on my desk in the various positions I held, and his memory has remained etched in my heart throughout. During these years, in which pain, hope, and prayer accompanied the Goldin family and the entire people of Israel, Michal and I had the privilege of getting to know Simcha, Leah, Ayelet, Chami, Tzur, and the entire beloved family up close"
He added: "The people of Israel embrace Hadar’s family today with deep love and boundless admiration for their unwavering strength and relentless, tireless struggle to bring Hadar home. For the hope that never dimmed, for their dignity, Zionism, and unshakable faith that guided their every step. We will remember and honor beloved Hadar. May his memory be a blessing."
"We thank President Donald Trump, his team, and the mediators for their substantial contribution to the effort that has brought this painful chapter to an end. We will continue to act tirelessly to bring home the four fallen hostages who remain in the hands of murderers, until the very last one."
Four deceased hostages remain in Hamas captivity: Ran Gvili, a Yasam officer who fell in battle and whose body was taken to Gaza; Meny Godard and Dror Or, both civilians who were murdered during the massacre and taken to Gaza; and Sudthisak Rinthalak, a foreign worker from Thailand who was murdered and taken to Gaza.
During Sunday's Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the announcement: "Hamas announced yesterday that it is holding the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, of blessed memory. We are due to receive the body this afternoon. This will, of course, immediately begin with the verification of his identity."
"Lt. Hadar Goldin fell in a heroic battle in Operation Protective Edge 11 years ago. His body was taken hostage by Hamas, which refused to return him all this time. Throughout this period, Israeli governments made great efforts to bring him back. Naturally, this has been amidst the great agony of his family, which will now be able to give him a Jewish burial," the Prime Minister added.
Earlier, the families of the five deceased hostages still held by Hamas received a notice that another body would be released this afternoon.
The families were told, "We wish to inform you that we are preparing for the return of a body this afternoon. It is likely the handing over of just one," the notice said to the families.
A diplomatic source said this morning that Israel views the delay in returning Hadar Goldin very seriously. "Israel demands his immediate return," the source said. At the same time, it was reported that Hamas is trying to craft a deal under which, in exchange for Goldin's release, Israel would allow 150 terrorists trapped in a tunnel in Rafah to leave the area unharmed. Israeli sources said there is no agreement to such a move.
Yesterday, Hamas published a video on Al Jazeera showing Hamas and Red Cross teams arriving at a tunnel and removing a body bag labeled with Hadar's name in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.