The remains of an Israeli soldier killed in the Gaza Strip more than a decade ago have finally been returned to his family, marking a significant development in the fragile US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
A Soldier's Final Journey Home
Hadar Goldin was just 23 years old when he was killed in 2014, mere hours after a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas had taken effect. For eleven long years, his family campaigned relentlessly for the return of his body for a proper burial in Israel.
His remains were the last from conflicts predating the current war to be held in Gaza. As his body was transported back to Israel, dozens of people gathered along road intersections to witness the police convoy carrying his remains to the national forensic institute for examination.
Family's Long Struggle and Criticism
The soldier's parents, Simcha and Leah Goldin, stated that Israel's military "and not anyone else" had brought home their son, in what appeared to be a pointed criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
Earlier this year, his mother Leah revealed the profound isolation her family felt during their long campaign. "Hadar is a soldier who went to combat and they abandoned him, and they destroyed his humanitarian rights and ours as well," she told the Associated Press.
Ms Goldin alleged that multiple opportunities to repatriate her son's remains had been missed by Israeli decision-makers. She specifically highlighted the COVID-19 pandemic as a particularly painful missed chance. "The biggest disappointment was during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was actually possible to bring back Hadar … in exchange for vaccines while the entire world was in a humanitarian crisis," she stated.
Current Hostage Situation and Broader Context
The return of Goldin's remains occurs against the backdrop of an ongoing hostage situation. Currently, the remains of four hostages from the current conflict remain in Gaza, with Israel criticising the length of time it is taking for their return.
As part of the current exchange arrangements, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians for each hostage returned. A total of 300 Palestinians have been returned under this arrangement, though only 89 have been identified so far due to prohibitions on DNA laboratories in Gaza.
In separate developments, Turkey has announced it is working to ensure the safe passage of an estimated 200 civilians reportedly trapped in tunnels within Gaza.
