It has been three years since Operation Protective Edge, the IDF anti-terrorism offensive against Hamas in Gaza. It was during this operation, which began in July of that summer, in which Lt. Hadar Goldin HY”D and Sgt. Oren Shaul HY”D were killed in Gaza fighting and their bodies taken by Hamas. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu promised the families that the return of the bodies for kvura in Eretz Yisrael is a high priority for him but now, three years later, this has yet to occur.
Over 40 MKs signed a petition calling to halt all family visits from Gaza until such time Hamas releases the bodies. The government has not implemented such a policy.
In her most recent plea to Knesset, Mrs. Goldin explained that it has been 1,086 days since she last spoke to Hadar, and how he was killed and his body taken shortly after the UN ceasefire went into effect. Her other son Tzur’s unit was 700 meters away from Hadar and his unit was sent to assist them. B’chasdei Hashem he was unharmed but unfortunately, Hamas made off with the two bodies.
Mrs. Goldin explained how days after learning he was shot and abducted, officers arrived to officially inform her Hadar had been killed in the fighting. Now, three years later, she wishes to understand why Hamas continues to get a pass to continue as it wishes in defiance of international law – citing Hamas actions were a violation of the UN ceasefire. She questions how this is permitted to continue and how this should be an international human rights issue under the Geneva Convention, to permit his proper religious burial and that Hamas should be compelled to adhere to international standards.
Mrs. Goldin thanked all those from the Diaspora who have and continued to assist, including; Canada’s Irwin Cotler, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, US Special Mideast Envoy Jason Greenblatt, and others.
She concludes Hadar was not the victim of a war, but a ceasefire, calling on other countries to assist her in her efforts.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
The government should do all it can within the constraints of political realities governing the Gaza situation. Taking actions right now which would provoke additional Palestinian demonstrations and international condemnation may limit what the government should do, even though the families have a legitimate interest in closure.