Israeli source: Hadar Goldin ob"m to be returned to Israel next week

An Israeli source told Maariv today (Tuesday) that the body of slain soldier Hadar Goldin ob"m , held by Hamas for over a decade, will be returned to Israel next week, at the planned end of the first phase of the hostage deal.

Hadar Goldin ob"m was a soldier who fought in Shejaiya during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. He was killed and his body taken by Hamas around that time, and all efforts to secure its release until now have failed. His father, Professor Simcha Goldin, launched a continuous campaign to ensure they can bury their son.

Another Israeli source commenting on the matter said that:

"This is an important achievement by Prime Minister Netanyahu, carried out in full coordination with the United States. The Prime Minister has once again managed to shorten the release phase and reach an agreement to return all living hostages from phase A already this week, in addition to returning deceased hostages.

"If the agreement materializes, Israel will complete phase A of the deal and ensure the return of all hostages in this phase - an achievement that not many thought would occur."

He noted that Netanyahu's concessions to secure the release are not irreversible: "As part of the negotiations for the return of our hostages, Israel has approved the entry of only a small quantity of caravans and heavy equipment into Gaza, which will not change at all the feasibility of implementing Trump's plan for voluntary migration and creating a different Gaza - which Prime Minister Netanyahu is fully committed to.

"Israel will enter negotiations on phase B in the coming days, which is a diplomatic phase dealing with the conditions for ending the war. Accordingly, the person who will lead the efforts on behalf of Israel is the Minister for Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, who will negotiate with the US President's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.

"During the negotiations, Israel will present its security requirements, based on the war objectives set by the Security Cabinet."

The source noted that if war returns, it will be far more intense than before: "If Israel is forced to return to fighting in Gaza due to Hamas's refusal, it will do so with strength and lethality; with the full backing of the Trump administration, replenished ammunition supplies, refreshed forces, and a completely different way of fighting."