The Unbreakable Spirit: Who Was Hadar Goldin, The Soldier Who Returned Home After 11 Years

The official identification of the remains of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, which were returned to Israel on Sunday, marked the end of an 11-year ordeal for his family and the nation. Goldin, a revered officer in the Givati reconnaissance unit, was not only a dedicated soldier but also a young man of profound values, dedication, and deep commitment to his country, a commitment that defined his life and his tragic death.

Hadar Goldin was killed and his body seized by the Hamas terrorist organization during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge. He was just 23 years old at the time of his death.

A Life of Values and Dual Purpose

Born in the community of Eshhar in the Galilee, Hadar was raised in Kfar Saba. He was one of four siblings, including his twin brother Tzur, who was a constant presence in Hadar's life. The brothers were inseparable: they learned to play musical instruments and paint together, served as youth counselors in the Bnei Akiva movement, studied at the Bnei David pre-military academy, and, in a rare occurrence, completed their combat officers' course side-by-side, both graduating with distinction.

In a candid interview with Arutz 7 less than a year before he fell, Hadar reflected on his upbringing: "They raised us with a lot of love and a lot of mission." He noted that his family instilled in them a love for the Jewish people and the land, noting that his Holocaust-survivor grandparents participated in the War of Independence, and his father served as a reservist battalion commander.

"We were educated to know how to make decisions," he said. Hadar’s personal philosophy, which he once shared, was that a person has two options in life: to fight only for oneself, or to "do great things."

The Day the Ceasefire Broke

Hadar fell in the battle known as "Black Friday" on August 1, 2014, the 25th day of Operation Protective Edge. This occurred during a planned 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire that had just gone into effect between Israel and Hamas. At 9:00 AM, Hadar, commanding a force from the Givati recon unit, was on a mission near Rafah to locate tunnels when his unit was ambushed by terrorists emerging from a tunnel shaft.

In the ensuing firefight, Hadar's commander, Major Benaya Sarel, and Sergeant First Class Liel Gidoni were killed. When it became clear Goldin had been taken, the controversial "Hannibal Directive" was activated, resulting in massive fire to prevent the kidnapping. In an act of profound bravery and dedication, Hadar’s deputy commander, Lieutenant Eitan Fund, led a pursuit into the tunnel in an attempt to retrieve him. Although the body was not immediately recovered, forensic evidence later gathered by the IDF and the Unit for Locating Missing Persons allowed the Chief Military Rabbi to declare Hadar's death as a fallen soldier held captive by the enemy.

Just a month before his death, Hadar proposed to his girlfriend, Edna Sarousi, during Operation Brother’s Keeper. Edna, reflecting on their love a year later, said Hadar was "the most alive person I've ever known. A smile from ear to ear, sparkling eyes, someone who swept up everyone he met." She had believed they would be "a couple forever."

A Symbol of National Commitment

Hadar Goldin’s parents, Simcha and Leah, spent the next 11 years tirelessly waging a public and diplomatic campaign for his return, transforming their personal loss into a national symbol of the state's moral commitment to its soldiers. Their unwavering efforts included meeting with world leaders and speaking at the UN, challenging successive Israeli governments over what they perceived as a lack of sufficient action.

Upon his return, the family's statement cemented Hadar's legacy: "Hadar will continue to be the symbol" of the values of mutual responsibility, courage, and the supreme importance of bringing every soldier home. His memory is honored through various educational initiatives, including a pre-military academy dedicated to his values.

President Isaac Herzog reflected on the national pain, saying Hadar’s image stood on his desk throughout his career, and his family’s "unyielding struggle" embodied "Zionism, respect, and faith."