Maj.-Gen. Rasan Alian visits family of long-lost IDF soldier Oron Shaul

Alian served as the chief of the Golani Brigade during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge when Shaul's body was kidnapped.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 20, 2025 06:00

Major-General Rasan Alian visits the family of St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul. January 19, 2025. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Major-General Rasan Alian, head of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), visited the family of St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul after IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) troops retrieved the soldier's body from the Gaza Strip, the military said early Monday morning. 

Alian served as the chief of the Golani Brigade during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge when Shaul's body was kidnapped.

Alian conveyed his condolences to the family and emphasized the military's commitment to returning the hostages home. 

Head of the Golani Brigade, Adi Ganon, who served as deputy commander to the 13th Battalion in the Golani Brigade at the time, was also present. He stated, "This morning, I had the honor of coming to the home of the Shaul family and sharing in the memories I feel since I was deputy commander of the 13th Battalion during Operation Protective Edge."

"Coming full circle, troops of Battalion 51 took part in the moving rescue operation along with other special forces."

Chief of the Golani Brigade visits the family of St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul. January 19, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Lieutenant-Colonel  Tal Turjeman, chief of the 13th Battalion, wrote in a letter to his soldiers following the return of Shaul's body from Gaza. Shaul "symbolizes the highest values of friendship, devotion, and love for the country, values that you continue to represent in every mission and operation."

Colonel Erez Alkabetz, who headed the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade during Operation Protective Edge, spoke of the honor he had in being Shaul's commander. 

'Circle is complete'

"For over ten years, I've been accompanied by your family in her great pain, and today, the circle is complete."

He noted the mixed emotions of the grief regarding Shaul's falling in combat and the return of his body for burial. 

On July 20, 2014, Shaul, 20, entered the Shejaia neighborhood in the vicinity of Gaza City in an armored personnel carrier (APC) with six other soldiers. Hamas fired at the APC with a Kornet anti-tank missile, which killed all those inside. 

---

---

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.