Israel said the remains it received on Sunday from Hamas were those of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, an Israeli officer killed more than a decade ago in the 2014 Gaza war.

Goldin was the 24th deceased hostage whose remains have been returned by Hamas since the start of the ceasefire on October 10 that has halted the latest war in Gaza, which broke out in October 2023.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said forensic experts had confirmed the remains were of Goldin.

"Today, we are united in having finally brought him back to his parents and his family to be laid to rest in Israel," Netanyahu said in a video statement posted on X, holding a photograph of Goldin.

"It's a relief. It's time for this family to finally be able to mourn," Judith Touati, a resident of Ramla in central Israel

See Full Page