Israel Marks One Year Since Return of Fallen Soldier Hadar Goldin
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israel is commemorating the one-year anniversary of the return of Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who was held by Hamas for 11 years. Intelligence efforts led to the arrest of Marwan Alhametz, suspected of knowing Goldin's burial location in a Gaza tunnel. The IDF uncovered and subsequently sealed a 16-kilometer tunnel network where Goldin was held, using 30,000 cubic meters of concrete.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel marks one year since the return of Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, held by Hamas for 11 years.
- The arrest of Marwan Alhametz in July 2025 was key to locating Goldin's burial site.
- IDF forces discovered a 16-kilometer tunnel network in Rafah where Goldin was held.
- The deepest part of the tunnel system reached 30 meters underground.
- Over 30,000 cubic meters of concrete were used to seal the extensive tunnel network.
- Goldin fell in battle during Operation Protective Edge in 2014 at the age of 23.
Israel is marking the one-year anniversary of the return of Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, who was held captive by Hamas for 11 years after falling in battle during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. His return to burial in Israel occurred on November 9th, following extensive operational and intelligence efforts.
Central to these efforts was the arrest of Marwan Alhametz in July 2025. Alhametz is suspected of knowing the location of Goldin's burial in a Hamas tunnel in Rafah, referred to as the "Dror Lavan" tunnel. His apprehension was part of numerous covert operations aimed at recovering Goldin.
IDF forces uncovered a complex underground tunnel network in southern Rafah where Goldin was held. This network spanned over 10 kilometers, with its deepest level reaching 30 meters below ground. The tunnels, which passed under sensitive civilian areas including schools and clinics, contained approximately 80 rooms used by senior Hamas commanders for operations planning.
Following Goldin's return, the tunnel shaft from which he was abducted was destroyed by the Nahal Brigade combat team. Subsequently, in late June 2026, elite Yahalom and Shayetet 13 units sealed the extensive tunnel system, measuring over 16 kilometers in length, using more than 30,000 cubic meters of concrete.
Second Lieutenant Goldin, who fell at the age of 23, is survived by his parents, siblings, and fiancée. His family had been vocal in their efforts to secure his return and expressed frustration with the state's perceived inaction until his eventual burial in Israel. The identification process was completed by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, Israel Police, and the Military Rabbinate.
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