Israel confirms receiving remains of soldier killed in Gaza in 2014

JERUSALEM, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel said on Sunday forensic test confirmed the remains handed over by Hamas earlier in the day were those of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed by the Palestinian group in 2014.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement the identification process had been completed. "The Government of Israel expresses its deep condolences to the Goldin family and to all the families of the fallen hostages," it said.

"IDF (Israel Defense Forces) representatives informed the family of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin that his body has been returned for burial," the military said in a statement.

Goldin, 23, was killed by Hamas fighters about an hour after a ceasefire took effect following one of the previous Israeli military campaigns in Gaza. His family conducted a public campaign for 11 years to bring back his remains.

The recovery of his body was part of an exchange amid a ceasefire that took effect on Oct. 10 this year. Hamas has released 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 other hostages. Four bodies are still held in Gaza -- three Israelis and one Thai national abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

Gaza's health authorities said Israel has released the bodies of about 300 Palestinians, most of whom have yet to be identified.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued strikes and demolitions in Gaza, killing hundreds. Gaza's health authorities on Saturday put the overall death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 at 69,169. ■