Year After Hadar Goldin's Return, Full Story of Rafah Operations Revealed
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS by baba
One year after the return of Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's body, a report details the extensive intelligence and operational efforts in Rafah that led to his recovery. Goldin was killed and abducted by Hamas in August 2014 during Operation Protective Edge. A key arrest in July 2025 led to the discovery of an extensive tunnel network where he was held. His body was returned on November 9, 2025, and the tunnel system was ultimately neutralized.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's body was returned to Israel on November 9, 2025, one year prior to this report.
- Goldin was killed and abducted by Hamas during Operation Protective Edge on August 1, 2014.
- The arrest of Marwan Alhametz in July 2025 was a turning point in locating Goldin's burial site.
- An extensive underground tunnel network in Rafah, spanning over 10 kilometers, was exposed.
- The tunnel system, used by Hamas for holding captives and storing weapons, was neutralized with concrete.
- The operation to seal the tunnels was completed in late June 2026.
One year after the return of Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin's body for burial in Israel, a comprehensive report details the intelligence hunt and operational efforts in Rafah. Goldin fell in battle during a ceasefire violation in Operation Protective Edge on August 1, 2014, and was abducted by Hamas. A significant turning point occurred in July 2025 when, in a special operation by the Southern Command and Shin Bet, guided by Aman, the terrorist Marwan Alhametz was arrested. He was suspected of knowing Goldin's burial location within the "Dror Lavan" tunnel.
Following operational developments, commando forces, Yahalom, and Shayetet 13 exposed an underground tunnel network in southern Rafah where Goldin was held in the years preceding his return. This extensive system spanned over 10 kilometers across three levels, reaching depths of 30 meters below ground near the Philadelphi Corridor. The tunnels ran beneath densely populated civilian areas, including UNRWA compounds, schools, clinics, and mosques, and contained approximately 80 chambers and command posts used by Hamas officials for planning attacks and storing weapons.
On November 9, 2025, Goldin's body was returned to Israel. After identification by the National Center for Forensic Medicine, Israel Police, and Military Rabbinate, his family was officially notified, and he was laid to rest two days later. Hours after his recovery, the Nahal Brigade's combat team destroyed the exact shaft from which the officer was abducted during the Rafah battle, closing an 11-year cycle.
The final operational closure of the underground infrastructure was completed by Yahalom and Shayetet 13 forces in late June 2026. They sealed the entire "Dror Lavan" tunnel, which extended over 16 kilometers, by pouring over 30,000 cubic meters of concrete, completely neutralizing the complex where the fallen soldier was held for years.
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