TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel on Sunday received the remains of a hostage in Gaza which Hamas said were the body of an Israeli soldier who was killed in 2014 and held for 11 years. His remains had been the only ones left in Gaza predating the current war between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas said that it found the remains of Hadar Goldin in a tunnel in the southernmost city of Rafah on Saturday. Goldin was killed on Aug. 1, 2014, two hours after a ceasefire took effect ending that year’s war between Israel and Hamas.

“Israel believes the remains now in our hands are of Lt. Hadar Goldin,” Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said, but emphasized that forensic confirmation was needed. That could come within hours.

The return of the remains of Goldin, who has become a national symbol

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