By Ebi Kesiena
The Israeli military has announced the recovery of the remains of Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, a soldier killed during the 2014 Gaza war whose body had been held by Hamas.
The operation was described as a “covert, special operation” carried out by Israeli special forces and the Shin Bet security service in Gaza.
Following the recovery, Shaul’s family was notified after an identification process conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Military Rabbinate.
Shaul’s remains were expected to be returned as part of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which has been delayed. Hamas is also holding three other Israelis: Lt. Hadar Goldin, another soldier killed in the 2014 conflict, and two civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, both believed to be alive.
Mengistu and al-Sayed, who were detained in 2014 and 2015 respectively after crossing into Gaza, were reported by the Israeli government to have had mental health issues at the time.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson, detailed that Shaul “fell in battle” in Gaza City’s Shejaiya district on 20 July 2014 and was “abducted by the Hamas terrorist organisation.” The mission to recover Shaul’s body was a significant effort spanning the past decade, intensifying during the current conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the forces involved, acknowledging their resourcefulness and bravery.
He also reflected on his long-standing commitment to bringing back Shaul and Goldin, noting that photos of both soldiers had been a constant reminder, displayed on the wall in his office.
