Monday marks 4,000 days since Hamas terrorists abducted the body of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, an IDF officer killed in action in Rafah during 2014's Operation Protective Edge.
The military classifies Goldin as an "IDF casualty whose burial place remains unknown”, as his family maintains their campaign for the return of his remains amid ongoing negotiations for the hostages captured during the October 7 attacks.
In January, the body of Oron Shaul, another IDF soldier killed and abducted during Operation Protective Edge was recovered before the ceasefire agreement signed with Hamas earlier this year.
Goldin was killed near Rafah on August 1 2014, moments after a 72-hour ceasefire was announced – an agreement Hamas immediately violated through rocket and mortar attacks targeting border communities.
Also killed in the same assault were Major Benaya Sarel and Staff Sergeant Liel Gidoni.
Goldin’s father, Simcha Goldin, said: "We have consistently warned that leadership willing to abandon fallen soldiers will inevitably abandon wounded personnel and living hostages.
"This represents our current reality.
“We have transformed into a society that abandons its own, and I hold Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for this situation, as he has maintained his position during this entire period.
“I similarly hold Naftali Bennett accountable, who served as prime minister for one complete year during this timeframe."
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas are ongoing, though talks have reportedly stalled due to disagreements over the proposed map for an Israeli military withdrawal.
Fifty Israeli hostages from October 7 remain in Gaza, with over half feared to be dead.
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