Tens of thousands gathered in central Israel on Tuesday for the funeral of Lt. Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier whose body was held in Gaza for more than a decade.
According to The Associated Press, the massive crowds spilled into surrounding streets, waving Israeli flags and standing in silence as Goldin was finally laid to rest.
Hamas returned Goldin’s remains on Sunday as part of the Trump-brokered ceasefire deal that began last month. His return brought an emotional end to an 11-year campaign led by his family, who had traveled the world demanding that his body be brought home.
“Hadar, we waited for you 11 years, that’s a long time. A very long time. I honestly can’t explain how we did it,” his mother, Leah Goldin, said beside his grave. “I still believed you would jump up and say ‘Everything is fine!’”
Goldin, 23, was killed in August 2014 — just two hours after a ceasefire took effect during the war between Israel and Hamas. Evidence found in the tunnel where his body was taken, including a blood-soaked shirt and prayer fringes, confirmed his death.
His family’s campaign turned him into a national symbol, with posters of Goldin and another fallen soldier, Oron Shaul, visible across Israel for years. The military recovered Shaul’s body earlier this year.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend the funeral, though Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, spoke on behalf of the military. Benny Gantz, who was chief of staff during Goldin’s abduction, also attended.
“Hamas’ kidnapping of bodies is attempting to destroy families and destroy Israel from the inside,” said Goldin’s twin brother, Tzur. His sister, Ayelet, called the moment “historic,” saying, “Suddenly, now that you’re here, I understand how sacred and profound it is to bring you home.”
The 2014 war that claimed Goldin’s life killed more than 2,200 Palestinians and 73 Israelis. Israel’s response to his abduction — a massive assault on Rafah — drew international criticism after over 100 Palestinians were killed. The military later scrapped the “Hannibal directive” that authorized such overwhelming force.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had dismantled the Rafah tunnel where Goldin was taken. Many Israelis saw his return as closing one of the most painful chapters in the nation’s long struggle with Hamas.
