Monday represents 4,000 days since Hamas terrorists abducted the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, an IDF officer killed during combat in Rafah during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza in 2014. The military classifies Hadar Goldin as an "IDF casualty whose burial place remains unknown," as his family maintains their campaign for his body's return amid ongoing negotiations concerning hostages captured during the October 7 attack.
In January this year, the body of IDF soldier Oron Shaul, who was also killed and abducted during Operation Protective Edge, was recovered before the ceasefire and hostage release agreement signed with Hamas earlier this year.
Hadar Goldin was killed in combat near Rafah on August 1, 2014, moments after a 72-hour ceasefire was announced – an agreement Hamas immediately violated through rocket attacks targeting Gaza border communities and mortar bombardments. The military unit, led by commander Maj. Benaya Sarel, along with Goldin and several combat soldiers and commanders, maintained operational activities searching for tunnel networks throughout the region. Hamas operatives emerged from an underground tunnel and launched an assault that claimed the lives of Maj. Benaya Sarel, Lt. Goldin, and Staff Sgt. Liel Gidoni.
"Throughout nine and a half years, we have consistently warned that leadership willing to abandon fallen soldiers will inevitably abandon wounded personnel and living hostages," Hadar's father, Simcha Goldin, stated. "This represents our current reality. We have transformed into a society that abandons its own, and I hold Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for this situation, as he has maintained his position during this entire period. I similarly hold Naftali Bennett accountable, who served as prime minister for one complete year during this timeframe."
Negotiations between Israel and the Hamas terror organization remain ongoing following the absence of meaningful progress during discussions in Doha. Israel accepted the proposed framework, while Hamas refused the agreement. The negotiations reportedly stalled due to disagreements over the proposed map for an Israeli military withdrawal, as 50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza.
"What actions should we take? Our response remains consistent – emulate Hadar. Become Goldins. We refuse to surrender, we reject despair," Simcha Goldin concluded.
