Turkey Tried to Stop It
The "Golden Information": How Top-Secret Intel Forced Hamas to Return Hadar Goldin's Remains.
A major intelligence breakthrough pinpointed the exact location of Hadar Goldin's body, forcing Hamas to concede to its return despite Turkish pressure to use the remains as leverage for a deal involving 150 terrorists.
The decision by the Hamas terrorist organization to finally announce the return of the remains of slain Lieutenant Hadar Goldin came after Israel acquired a crucial piece of "Golden Information" regarding his exact location. This intelligence success, achieved through intensive fieldwork and long-term surveillance, made it clear to Hamas that they could no longer conceal the whereabouts of the fallen soldier's body, which had been held for 11 years.
Goldin's body was held in a section of the tunnel system in Rafah, nicknamed "White Dror" by the IDF, literally right beneath the feet of Israeli soldiers who had been operating and drilling in the area for months. The 162nd Division, under the command of Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, had been battling in Rafah for months, drilling and digging near the very spot where Goldin was eventually located, but had not been able to pinpoint the location until the breakthrough intelligence was received.
For Brig. Gen. Cohen, who had served as Goldin's commander during his life, the discovery and return of the remains was an emotional "closing of a circle."
The Diplomatic Endgame: US Pressure Overrides Turkey
The return of Goldin's casket to Israel was secured without Israel having to agree to release the approximately 150 terrorists barricaded in the Rafah tunnels, marking a significant success for Israeli policy, which insisted the return must not be used as a bargaining chip.
Behind the scenes, the return was subject to intense diplomatic pressure:
The Nighttime Drama and The Demand for Immediate Action
When initial reports on Saturday indicated Hamas had discovered Goldin's remains but there was no immediate timeline for the transfer, Israel immediately engaged US mediators overnight Saturday.
Israeli officials sent a clear message: there would be no acceptance of any conditions or delays in the transfer of the remains. An Israeli official underscored the point, stating plainly, "There is no negotiation right now. There is an agreement, and Hamas must uphold it."
Fearing that Hamas intended to negotiate a separate deal, specifically demanding the release of the 150 trapped terrorists in exchange for Goldin, Israel's demand for immediate adherence was non-negotiable. During the tense overnight hours, Hamas eventually messaged the mediators that the delay was only due to "technical issues" and promised the casket would be transferred within 24 hours, a promise they fulfilled on late Sunday morning.
The breakthrough intelligence, coupled with unwavering diplomatic pressure from the US, left Hamas with no viable option but to finally comply with the long-violated terms of the ceasefire agreement and return the body of Lt. Goldin, bringing an end to the family's 11-year ordeal.