The Israeli military has announced that special forces have recovered the body of Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, a soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war, whose remains have been held by Hamas since then.
According to a statement, the recovery occurred during a "covert, special operation" conducted by the Israeli military and the Shin Bet security agency in Gaza. The remains were identified by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Military Rabbinate, after which Shaul's family was notified.
Hamas was initially expected to return Shaul's remains as part of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement set to begin on Sunday, though the deal has faced delays.
The Palestinian militant group is also holding the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin, another soldier killed in the 2014 war, as well as two Israeli civilians believed to be alive: Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Arab Israeli Hisham al-Sayed. Both were captured after crossing into Gaza on their own in 2014 and 2015 and were reportedly suffering from mental health issues at the time.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), explained that Shaul "fell in battle" in the Shejaiya district of Gaza City on 20 July 2014 and was subsequently captured by Hamas. He described the recovery as a "significant intelligence and operational undertaking" spanning nearly a decade.
The operation involved the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate, the Shayetet 13 marine commando unit, and Shin Bet operatives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the forces involved for their "resourcefulness and bravery." He noted that photos of Shaul and Goldin had remained in his office for years as a constant reminder of his commitment to bring them home.
"We have fulfilled the mission to bring Oron back and will not rest until we also bring Hadar Goldin home," Netanyahu stated. "We will continue to work tirelessly to return all of our hostages, both the living and the deceased.".
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