Secret op. brings back body of Oron Shaul ahead of Gaza ceasefire

Shaul was killed in 2014, and his body was taken by Hamas to the Gaza Strip.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB JANUARY 19, 2025 07:58 Updated: JANUARY 19, 2025 08:03

Oron Shaul, who has been missing in Gaza since 2014 (photo credit: SUPPLIED)

IDF special forces and the Shin Bet have retrieved from Gaza the body of long-lost soldier Oron Shaul, the military announced on Sunday.

The secret operation, which involved Shayetet 13 and other special forces, was carried out in recent days before the Israel-Hamas ceasefire had taken effect. 

There was no discussion of where in Gaza his body was retrieved from to preserve certain undefined national security interests.

The body of Hadar Goldin was not retrieved, and no mention has been made of exactly how or when that body would be gotten back in negotiations with Hamas, though there is a formula for Palestinian prisoners to be released for dead soldiers bodies after Phase I and the first 42 days of the deal expire, either during Phase II or, more likely, Phase III.

Protestors outside Tel Aviv Hashalom train station demand the return of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, July 8, 2021. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/ MAARIV)

Body taken by Hamas

On July 20, 2014, Shaul entered the Shejaiya neighborhood near Gaza City in an armored personnel carrier with six other soldiers. The APC was struck by a Kornet anti-tank missile fired by Hamas, killing all those inside.

Shaul’s body was never found.

Goldin was killed, and his body was taken by Hamas during an August 2014 ambush.

The other two living Israeli hostages who Hamas has held since before the current war are due to be returned to Israel on day 42 of the end of the first phase.