What’s happened: The body of Lt. Hadar Goldin who was killed 11 years ago in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge was returned to Israel yesterday.

• Goldin was 23 at the time of his death, and his body was abducted by Hamas and held in a tunnel in Rafah.
• After the Red Cross handed over the coffin to the IDF on Sunday, the military held a poignant ceremony which included Goldin’s former comrades as well as the former deputy commander of his unit, Eitan Fund, who had led the pursuit of Hadar’s abductors into the tunnels, and the then commander of the Givati Brigade, Ofer Winter.
• On Sunday night, his parents Simcha and Leah Goldin made brief statements outside their home, exactly as they had done the day after his capture. Simcha Goldin said, “We have brought Lt. Hadar Goldin from Sayeret Givati, our son, a warrior, to Jewish burial. The IDF brought Hadar to Jewish burial. Not anyone else. The IDF. And that’s why we are taking the IDF’s values, in the name of which we have been walking for more than 11 years, because that is what Hadar bequeathed to us, values that say that we don’t abandon soldiers on the battlefield, because that’s a value and we don’t compromise on values in order to secure interests, and we fight for fighters.”
• His mother Leah said, “It took us 11 years to get him back with the help of the IDF and the security forces. I was forced to go world-over just to realise that we have values that are shared by everyone regardless of race, gender or creed. The value of our camaraderie and mutual responsibility. Bringing the deceased to Jewish burial. And the third is called human dignity. Those are the values that we truly fought for.”
• Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement noting, “I always had in my room two pictures – of Oron Shaul and of Hadar Goldin, may they rest in peace. And I knew that we would bring them home… I know the agonies that his family endured. I also know the longing for his return, which united the entire Israeli people. And today we are united in the fact that we have finally returned him to his parents and family for Jewish burial.”

Context: Goldin fell in battle on August 1, 2014 in Rafah, when Hamas violated the ceasefire at the end of Operation Protective Edge. His body had been held for 4,177 days.  

• He was part of an elite reconnaissance unit of the Givati Brigade  that had been trying to locate tunnels when terrorists emerged from a shaft, attacked the IDF force and killed three soldiers: Goldin, Maj. Benaya Sarel and Staff Sgt. Liel Gidoni.
• His return brings closure for the family and more broadly for Israeli society. On Sunday night, his parents spoke at entrance of their home, exactly as they had done the day after his capture.  
• Over the weekend, the body of Lior Rudaeff was also returned. Rudaeff, a Sgt Major in reserves served as deputy security coordinator and a member of the Nir Yitzhak rapid response team. He fell in battle defending the Kibbutz on October 7th, and his body was taken captive by Islamic Jihad. Lior was 61 years old at the time of his death, and his death was officially determined on May 7th, 2024. He leaves behind his wife, four children, three grandchildren, father, sister, and brother.
• According to Israeli media reports the IDF had intelligence on the location of Lt. Goldin body and had IDF troops operating in the area, trying to locate him. Hamas apparently realised that Israel had learned where his body was buried and so could not hold off on releasing it any longer. The intelligence was based on information garnered from a small group of senior Hamas commanders that were privy to the information. Following the elimination of the most senior commanders (including Dief and Sinwar) during the war, it was assessed that only five people alive knew the location, they were granted immunity from attack so the secret would not die with them.
• Over the last few days, Turkey had encouraged Hamas to hold onto the body and only release it in return for safe passage for the estimated 200 Hamas fighters thought to be in underground tunnels within the zone under Israeli control. Hadar’s body was ultimately returned in the context of the ceasefire deal – thanks to the US backing Israel’s position.    
• IDF Chief of Staff Zamir had told the security cabinet last week that there was no deal for safe passage for the trapped terrorists, and that they would either surrender or be eliminated.
• Israel has continued to encourage the mediators to keep the pressure on Hamas and Islamic Jihad to release the rest. However it may be case that Hamas will struggle in returning the remaining four bodies of hostages still buried in Gaza. The latest assessment is that Islamic Jihad is holding one deceased hostage whom it can return immediately to Israel, while the location of the final three is unclear.  
• In parallel the IDF continues to focus on the decommissioning of Hamas tunnels within the area under its control and remain vigilant in thwarting any attempts by Hamas to breach the Yellow Line. On Saturday there were at least two recorded incidents of attempted infiltrations.  

Looking ahead: The funeral for Hadar Goldin will take place tomorrow morning in the military cemetery in Kfar Saba.

• The next stage of the deal will include turning over responsibility for civilian control inside Gaza Strip to the US led Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC).
• There are still four bodies being held in Gaza. They include three Israelis: Meny Godard, Ran Gvili and Dror Or, and Thai farmer Sudthisak Rinthalak.
• However, the future of the agreement will depend on the Israeli intelligence assessment concurring that every effort has been made to locate the remaining bodies.

What’s happened: The remains of the deceased hostage Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, were returned to Israel last night.

• As in the past, the identification process was first completed by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine before his family was notified.
• Itay Chen was killed while defending  Nahal Oz on October 7 and his body was taken into Gaza by Hamas. His death was announced five months later.
• In parallel, the IDF has continued to operate in the Gaza Strip in the Israeli controlled areas south and eastwards of the Yellow Line. The IDF Spokesperson’s office confirmed that, “an underground tunnel route spanning hundreds of meters long and tens of meters deep was located in the Jabaliya area and dismantled…The route was used by Hamas terrorists for prolonged stays and for organising terrorist activities against IDF troops.”
• Moreover, IDF soldiers have also identified a compound containing launchers, rockets, and launch positions belonging to Hamas…in the centre of the Shejaiya area in northern Gaza.”

Context: Itay Chen is the last kidnapped IDF soldier from this war. On October 7 he fought with his tank crew that included Sgt. Tomer Leibovitz, Captain Daniel Peretz and Staff Sgt Matan Angrest. The only survivor of the crew was Angrest, who was taken as hostage, while the bodies of Peretz and Chen were also taken to Gaza.

• Another seven deceased hostages still remain in the Gaza Strip  761 days since October 7.
• Included in these seven still held in Gaza are the remains of Hadar Goldin, who was killed during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014.
• Israel is satisfied that the return of bodies has continued, but is keen to speed up the process and retrieve all the remaining hostages. The latest  estimations are  that Hamas knows the location of three or four remaining bodies. Even if Hamas does not know the whereabouts, it may be that allowing Hamas to search (within Israeli controlled areas) will be faster than the IDF doing it, as Hamas may have more precise information.
• The extensive Hamas tunnel network remains an ongoing operational challenge for the IDF. It is estimated to be over 550km in length, (and possibly longer) and according to the most recent assessment from the Ministry of Defence, only 40 per cent of the tunnels mapped have so far been destroyed. Operationally the IDF is now prioritising destroying the tunnels in the area it currently controls.
• Hamas claims that around 200 armed terrorists are trapped below ground in a network of tunnels within the Israeli controlled area. Hamas has asked (via mediators) to grant them safe passage out of the area which poses a dilemma for the IDF. On  one hand, their presence endangers troops, but Israel is also unwilling to grant these fighters amnesty. Israel is currently demanding the return of all the deceased hostages before a decision is made on the trapped Hamas operatives.  
• Since the demarcation of the Yellow Line there have been several incidents of Gazans trying to cross it. According to IDF rules of engagement, they are only targeted if they pose an immediate threat, and otherwise are arrested.  
• As part of the preparation for the next phase, Israeli and US teams now share a joint war room as part of the CMCC (Civilian-Military Coordination Center), which is primarily aimed to coordinate civilian projects. The mechanism also allows them to jointly monitor ongoing potential Hamas preparations to carry out future attacks.  
• Humanitarian aid continues to enter Gaza, at an average rate of approximately 600 trucks a day including food, fuel and gas. In contrast to the US and Israeli backed GHF that delivered over 185 million meals directly to the Gazan civilian population during the five months it operated up until the ceasefire, the current aid is being facilitated by the UN and other international organisations which allows Hamas to control the distribution once inside the Strip.
• According to a new report by UN Watch hundreds of UNRWA workers maintained ties with Hamas, and other terror groups. The study presents 490 verified cases of agency employees who praised massacres, incited violation or were personally active in the terror organisations.

Looking ahead: As winter approaches, hundreds of thousands of Gazans remain without a permanent home. With the ceasefire holding, and increased aid entering the Strip it is now Hamas’ responsibility to disarm to allow the reconstruction efforts to begin.

• The UN Security Council is expected to vote in the next two weeks to endorse the US plan to establish an International Stabilisation Force. However it currently appears that many Arab countries that are supposed to contribute soldiers are unwilling to do so until Hamas is disarmed.

What’s happened: Additional bodies have been returned for burial in Israel over the weekend.

• On Sunday night Hamas returned three bodies to Israel. They were later identified and named as:
  • Colonel Asaf Hamami, commander of the Southern Brigade of the Gaza Division. He was killed during the battle for Kibbutz Nirim and was kidnapped along with his troops, Staff Sergeant Tomer Yaakov Ahimas and Sergeant Kiril Brodsky.
  • Staff Sergeant Oz Daniel, a fighter in the 77th Armoured Brigade. On October 7th, he fought with his tank crew and was abducted along with his three tank crewmates: Nimrod Cohen, who was released after more than two years in captivity; Shaked Dahan, whose body was returned for burial; and Captain Omer Neutra.
  • Captain Omer Maxim Neutra was born and raised in Long Island, New York, and volunteered to enlist as a lone soldier in the Armoured Corps, subsequently completing officer training and becoming a tank platoon commander. He was abducted with his tank crew (along with while Oz Daniel) while commanding the team.

• On Sunday funerals were held for the two hostage bodies returned on Friday. Amiram Cooper, who was 85 at the time of his murder by Hamas, was laid to rest at Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he was one of the founding members. Sahar Baruch was killed at the age of 25 during a failed IDF rescue mission. He was buried in his kibbutz, Beeri.
• In an interview to 60 Minutes, President Trump said that the ceasefire in Gaza was not fragile, and repeated his threat that Hamas would be obliterated if it failed to behave decently. Trump said, “You hear about Hamas, but Hamas could be taken out immediately if they don’t behave. They know that. If they don’t behave, they’re going to be taken out immediately. If I want them to disarm, I’ll get them to disarm very quickly. They’ll be eliminated. They know that.”
• In Lebanon over the weekend Israel targeted a commander of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force, regarded as one of the most significant elimination of the past year. The senior commander had been responsible for the delivery of weapons for restoring Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon. Three additional Radwan fighters were also eliminated travelling in the same vehicle.
• Outgoing Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was found Sunday night after a search along Tel Aviv’s Cliff Beach that led to her being arrested. Earlier in the day, her car had been found empty at the site. Her phone is still missing.
• She stepped down as the IDF lead military prosecutor last week following her admission that she had leaked classified video footage from the Sde Teiman Base in southern Israel where alleged abuse of incarcerated Hamas terrorists had taken place. She is also accused of making a false affidavit to the High Court and covering up the subsequent probe.

Context: The return of the remaining hostages remains Israel’s top priority. Whilst Hamas remain in breach of the agreement, all the other stages of the deal are on hold.

• There is concern that Hamas is deliberately dragging its feet in order to squeeze further concessions.
• The second Hamas breach of the agreement are the continued efforts to attack IDF soldiers in areas still controlled by Israel inside Gaza.
• Mediators have raised the option for Israel to agree to allow Hamas terrorists safe passage out of Gazan territory that is under Israeli control. Some Hamas fighters are trapped inside tunnels. Israel is said to be studying the issue.
• Israeli media reports suggest the US will call for the International Stabilisation Force to be deployed along the yellow line, in an area that will keep the IDF and Hamas apart. This presumably will require a further Israeli withdrawal / redeployment.  
• Discussions continue about the composition of the International Stabilisation Force (ISF). The US is expected to submit a motion to the UN Security Council that will serve as the ISF’s mandate. Whilst the mission will be led by US CENTCOM and include British planners the bulk of the troops deployed are expected to be Muslim or Arab. Israel has vetoed Turkish and Qatari involvement and the countries touted as potentially sending troops are UAE, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Their role will be to maintain law and order while wider members of the international community will help set up civilian infrastructure like schools and health clinics, as well reestablishing infrastructure for the supply of electricity, water and sewage management.  
• In parallel, there is ongoing concern over how Hamas has been able to reassert control over many areas west of the yellow line.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu related to the threat from Hamas on Sunday, noting, that while the organisation suffered crushing blows, it is trying to recover. He added that “there are still Hamas pockets in the areas under our control in Gaza” including in Rafah and Khan Yunis which Israel plans to eliminate.
• Netanyahu also clarified that while Israel reports to the US, “we do not ask for their permission…. We maintain the supreme security responsibility, and we will not relinquish it.”
• Netanyahu warned that while Hezbollah was taking hits, it is also “trying to arm itself and recover.” He added that Israel expects the Lebanese government “to do what it committed to do, namely to disarm Hezbollah,” while clarifying that Israel would exercise its right to self-defence as stipulated in the ceasefire conditions. “We will not allow Lebanon to become a renewed front against us and will act as necessary.”
• The latest strikes against Hezbollah coincide with the first anniversary of the ceasefire. Israel has detected that that Hezbollah has stepped up their efforts to rebuild their military capabilities. Since the November 2024 ceasefire Israel has eliminated almost 340 Hezbollah fighters.

Looking ahead: The remains of eight hostages are still being held by Hamas. It is hoped that sustained pressure can bring more of them home.

• Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine arrived in Israel and visited the Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, from which the US is overseeing its Gaza operations. The Americans announced that they would take full responsibility for the humanitarian issue in Gaza as of November 7.
• Hezbollah had been given a deadline of the end of 2025 in which to disarm. The US are expected to place further pressure on the Lebanese Government to deploy state forces and challenge Hezbollah’s supremacy in the south.