Israeli authorities confirmed Sunday that forensic tests identified the remains of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed during 2014 hostilities in Gaza, as a fragile month-long ceasefire continues to hold. The remains were recovered through a recent exchange mediated amid ongoing regional diplomacy efforts.
Goldin, 23, was killed by Hamas fighters shortly after a ceasefire took effect during a previous military campaign. His family had campaigned publicly for 11 years to retrieve his body. The identification marks a partial resolution to one of Israel's longest-running humanitarian cases.
The recovery occurred under a truce that began October 10, 2023, which has seen Hamas release 20 living hostages and 24 sets of remains. Four bodies – three Israeli and one Thai national – remain in Gaza following the October 7 attacks.
Gaza health authorities report Israel has returned approximately 300 Palestinian bodies, many still unidentified. The overall death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 stands at 69,169, according to Gaza officials.
As the ceasefire enters its second month, Egyptian and Qatari diplomats reaffirmed commitments to strengthen the truce during Sunday talks. Discussions included implementation of peace proposals, Palestinian territorial unity between Gaza and the West Bank, and potential UN Security Council involvement in reconstruction efforts.
Both nations emphasized rejection of settlement expansions in the West Bank, warning such actions undermine peace prospects. The developments occur amid heightened international scrutiny over Gaza's humanitarian crisis and post-conflict governance plans.
