Israel Buries Hostage Officer 11 Years After Gaza Captivity!

Israel Buries Hostage Officer 11 Years After Gaza Captivity!

Reported By Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa

Hundreds of mourners gathered on Tuesday in Kfar Saba, Israel, to lay to rest Hadar Goldin, a lieutenant in the Givati Brigade whose body had been held by Hamas in Gaza for more than 11 years. [1]

Goldin, aged 23 when he was killed during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge, had become a symbol of Israel’s enduring promise to retrieve its soldiers. His remains were finally returned from Gaza as part of a U.S.brokered truce between Israel and Hamas. [2]

“After 11 years of waiting, pain and hope, Lt. Hadar Goldin is being laid to rest in his beloved homeland,” said Kfar Saba Mayor Rafi Sa’ar. [3]

Key Facts:

• Goldin’s body was returned to Israel via the International Committee of the Red Cross and subject to forensic confirmation. [4]
• His funeral ceremony at the Kfar Saba military cemetery included full military honours and tributes from senior Israel Defence Forces leaders. [5]
• For the past decade, Israeli families, officials and civil society groups had campaigned fervently for the return of his remains. [6]

Why It Matters:

The burial brings emotional closure to one of Israel’s longest unresolved cases of a fallen soldier held by enemy forces.

• The return of Goldin is likely to affect ongoing hostage and remains‑exchange negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
• It underscores the enduring human cost of the Israel‑Gaza conflict and the significance of bringing home the fallen for national morale.

Citations:

1. www.israelhayom.com: www.israelhayom.com/2025/11/11/hadar-goldin-funeral-kfar-saba-idf-hamas-captivity-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. AP News: apnews.com/article/54a4f07644bb15621950a23187a8c758?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. Israel National News: www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417618?utm_source=chatgpt.com
4. www.israelhayom.com: www.israelhayom.com/2025/11/09/hadar-goldin-identified-returned-israel-11-years-gaza-operation-protective-edge-hostages?utm_source=chatgpt.com
5. JNS.org: www.jns.org/hadar-goldin-buried-in-israel-more-than-4000-days-after-he-fell-in-2014-gaza-war/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
6. All Israel News: allisraelnews.com/finally-home-israel-embraces-the-goldin-family-upon-return-of-body-of-son-hadar-from-gaza?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan

editor

Marian Opeyemi Fasesan is a dynamic journalist and editorial leader committed to excellence in news reporting and storytelling. As the Editor-in-Chief of Sele Media Africa, she ensures daily operations run smoothly while upholding the highest editorial standards. With a strong eye for detail and deep understanding of audience engagement, Marian coordinates content across platforms, guiding teams to produce compelling, timely, and credible news. Her leadership reflects the heart of Sele Media Africa’s mission—to inform, inspire, and elevate voices across the continent.

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