JERUSALEM/CAIRO - Israel said on Sunday forensic test confirmed the remains handed over by Hamas earlier in the day were those of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier killed by the Palestinian group in 2014.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement the identification process had been completed. "The Government of Israel expresses its deep condolences to the Goldin family and to all the families of the fallen hostages," it said.
"IDF (Israel Defense Forces) representatives informed the family of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin that his body has been returned for burial," the military said in a statement.
Goldin, 23, was killed by Hamas fighters about an hour after a ceasefire took effect following one of the previous Israeli military campaigns in Gaza. His family conducted a public campaign for 11 years to bring back his remains.
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The recovery of his body was part of an exchange amid a ceasefire that took effect on Oct 10 this year. Hamas has released 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 other hostages. Four bodies are still held in Gaza -- three Israelis and one Thai national abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Oct 7, 2023.
Gaza's health authorities said Israel has released the bodies of about 300 Palestinians, most of whom have yet to be identified.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued strikes and demolitions in Gaza, killing hundreds. Gaza's health authorities on Saturday put the overall death toll from Israeli strikes since October 2023 at 69,169.
Meanwhile, Israel said on Sunday that Turkish troops would not be part of the planned multinational force expected to take control of Gaza once Israeli forces withdraw.
"There will be no Turkish boots on the ground," government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian told reporters.
US President Donald Trump's plan to end the two-year conflict between Israel and Hamas calls for a temporary international stabilization force to gradually take over security in Gaza from the Israeli army. Washington has reportedly been in talks with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan to contribute to the force.
On Friday, Türkiye's Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued arrest warrants for 37 Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, on charges of "genocide" and "crimes against humanity." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar denounced the warrants, calling them a "PR stunt" by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
READ MORE: Israel receives body of hostage from Gaza via Red Cross
Also on Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani affirmed their commitment to continuing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
During a phone conversation, the two officials also discussed developments regarding the ongoing consultations on the implementation of Trump's peace plan for Gaza, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
They stressed the necessity of linking the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to ensure the unity of the Palestinian territories, highlighting the importance of Palestinians assuming management of their affairs while preserving the unity of Palestinian decision-making.
