Israel says forensic testing confirms it has received the remains of soldier killed in Gaza in 2014
The agreement also includes the exchange of remains with 28 deceased hostages to be returned to Israel in exchange for the remains of 360 Palestinian militants held by Israel.
The family members of slain hostage Israeli-American Staff Sgt. Itay Chen attend his funeral, at Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, after his body was returned by Gaza. (AP Photo)
Israel has received the remains of a deceased hostage from Gaza, the Israeli government said on Sunday, the Reuters reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the remains were handed over to Israeli forces inside Gaza by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
However, Israel says forensic testing confirms it has received the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in Gaza in 2014. The 23-year-old Israeli soldier was killed two hours after a ceasefire took effect in that year’s war between Israel and Hamas. Goldin’s family waged a public campaign for 11 years to bring home his remains.
Since a ceasefire began on October 10, part of a peace plan brokered by US President Donald Trump to end the conflict that started in 2023, Hamas has released 20 living hostages. In return, Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees.
The agreement also includes the exchange of remains, with 28 deceased hostages to be returned to Israel in exchange for the remains of 360 Palestinian militants held by Israel.
Before Sunday’s handover, Israel had received the bodies of 23 hostages, while Gaza health authorities said Israel had returned the remains of 300 Palestinians.
Palestinian militants took 251 hostages, both living and deceased, during the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023. Four others were already held in Gaza before that assault.
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The family members of slain hostage Israeli-American Staff Sgt. Itay Chen attend his funeral, at Kiryat Shaul Cemetery in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, after his body was returned by Gaza. (AP Photo) 
