Smicha Goldin Praises IDF Tunnel Sealing Where Son Was Held, Urges Values in Victory

Professor Smicha Goldin spoke on Wednesday about the completion of sealing the underground tunnel in southern Rafah where his son, Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, had been held by Hamas. The tunnel, which was sealed over the past three months, had been used by Hamas for more than 11 years. Goldin emphasized that the sealing symbolizes the crucial point that military victory must go hand in hand with values. "Everyone involved in the events from Operation Protective Edge to October 7 tries to blur this fact," he said, stressing the importance of remembering that victory comes with adherence to values.

The Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday the completion of sealing the tunnel route, which stretches over 16 kilometers and was sealed using more than 30,000 cubic meters of concrete by the Yahalom unit. The tunnel included about 80 living chambers, served as a Hamas command and control center, and was used by the military commander of Rafah to advance terror activities. It ran beneath residential neighborhoods, mosques, kindergartens, clinics, a school, and a UNRWA clinic near the Philadelphi route.

Goldin also criticized recent political statements about establishing settlements in northern Gaza, calling such ideas "funny," especially from those who previously told him Hamas was an asset. He recounted his multiple meetings over nine years with Prime Ministers Benjamin Netanyahu and Naftali Bennett, where he warned about Hamas and was told Hamas was an asset. Goldin argued that before discussing settlements, basic security measures for border communities must be addressed. He added that any area captured by the IDF could be settled but only with broad public consensus to avoid failure.

Two days earlier, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for advancing settlements in northern Gaza, claiming the Settlement Administration was ready to establish three new communities there. Prime Minister Netanyahu did not rule out the idea. Goldin’s remarks highlight ongoing debates about security, territorial control, and settlement policy following recent conflicts with Hamas.