TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel confirmed on Sunday that it has received the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier who was killed in Gaza in 2014. This development marks the end of a long and painful chapter for Goldin's family and the nation. Goldin was just 23 years old when he died two hours after a ceasefire was declared during that year’s conflict between Israel and Hamas.

For 11 years, Goldin’s family campaigned publicly for the return of his remains. Earlier this year, they observed 4,000 days since his body was taken. The Israeli military had previously determined that Goldin was killed based on evidence found in a tunnel, including a blood-soaked shirt and prayer fringes. His remains were the only ones from before the current conflict that began on October 7, 2023.

The return of Goldin's remains is seen as a significant development in the ongoing U.S.-brokered truce, which has faced challenges amid the slow return of hostages' bodies and ongoing skirmishes between Israeli forces and militants in Gaza. The Red Cross facilitated the transfer of Goldin's remains to the Israeli military, which then transported them to the national forensic institute in Tel Aviv.

As the police convoy carrying Goldin's remains passed through the streets, dozens of people gathered to pay their respects, holding Israeli flags. “We’re really excited. We’ve got conflicting feelings,” said Hanini Cormey, a soldier who served alongside Goldin.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Cabinet, stating that the prolonged absence of Goldin's body had caused “great agony” for his family, who can now provide him with a proper Jewish burial.

Goldin's family had previously led a public campaign alongside the family of another soldier, Oron Shaul, whose remains were recovered earlier this year. Netanyahu reiterated Israel's commitment to recovering the bodies of Israelis still held across enemy lines, including Eli Cohen, an Israeli spy executed in Damascus in 1965.

Reports from Israeli media suggested that Hamas had delayed the release of Goldin's body in hopes of negotiating safe passage for over 100 militants surrounded by Israeli forces in Rafah. Gila Gamliel, Israel's minister of innovation, science, and technology, stated that Israel is not negotiating for a deal within a deal, emphasizing the importance of adhering to existing agreements.

Since the ceasefire began on October 10, militants have released the remains of 23 hostages. Under the truce agreement, militants are expected to return the remains of all hostages. For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians. Ahmed Dheir, director of forensic medicine at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, reported that 300 remains have been returned, with 89 identified.

The current conflict began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and 251 kidnappings. Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza has reached 69,176.

Leah Goldin, Hadar's mother, previously described the uncertainty surrounding her son's remains as a “knife constantly making new cuts.” She emphasized the ethical and religious significance of returning her son’s body, stating, “Hadar is a soldier who went to combat and they abandoned him, and they destroyed his humanitarian rights and ours as well.”

After the October 7 attack, the Goldin family shifted their focus to assist families of those abducted into Gaza, despite initially feeling isolated in their struggle. “We were a symbol of failure,” Leah Goldin recalled, noting that others believed their children would return soon.

This confirmation of Goldin's remains brings closure to a long-standing issue for his family and the nation, as they continue to navigate the complexities of the ongoing conflict.