After a decade in Hamas' hands, Fallen IDF soldier Oron Shaul returns home

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has successfully recovered the remains of Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, who was killed in action in 2014, following a complex intelligence and operational mission. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Hertzi Halevi announced the development during a military assessment in northern Israel.

In an emotional meeting following the recovery, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Oron's mother, Zehava Shaul. "You promised to bring him back – and you did so," she told the Prime Minister, her words carrying the weight of a decade's wait. Together, they found solace in the biblical verse from Jeremiah promising the return of children to their borders. Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to bringing all captives home, both living and deceased, linking Oron's return to the broader mission of securing freedom for all Israeli hostages.

"We brought Oron home after more than a decade," Halevi said during a field briefing with senior commanders near the Syrian border. "This success reinforces our commitment to bring back all our fallen soldiers and hostages. Our mission continues as we work to recover Hadar Goldin and all others still held by our enemies."

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The announcement came during Halevi's inspection of IDF Northern Command forces, where he met with regional commanders Maj. Gen. Uri Gordin and Brigadier Generals Yair Palai and Guy Levy. The Chief of Staff praised the troops' efforts in the northern sector, noting that their strong presence enables the military to effectively allocate resources across multiple fronts.

"The successful operations here over the past six weeks have created new opportunities," Halevi added. "We will now focus on advancing our objectives in other sectors while maintaining our commitment to recovering all our people."

Herzi Halevi addresses IDF soldiers about the mission to retrieve Oron Shaukl's body (Video: IDF)

IDF troops. Illustration. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

After ten agonizing years, Oron Shaul finally came home and laid to rest earlier today (Monday) in Poriyah Illit.

In a powerful eulogy that brought many to tears, President Isaac Herzog addressed the painful delay in bringing Shaul home. "I turn to you, dear Shaul family, in the name of the entire State of Israel - and ask for your forgiveness," Herzog said, "Forgiveness for the torturous years you all went through, waiting for a son and brother to return."

The president's words hit particularly hard as he mentioned Shaul's late father, Herzl, who passed away before seeing his son returned. "He didn't merit this small grace - to see Oron return, to accompany him to burial in a Jewish grave," Herzog said.