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It has been 4,000 days since Hadar Goldin, a 23-year-old Israeli soldier, was killed by Hamas terrorists during a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza. His remains have yet to be returned to his family, deepening the urgency felt by his mother, Leah Goldin.
In a recent interview marking this tragic milestone, Leah Goldin expressed her heartfelt gratitude to former President Trump and his advisors for their past efforts. Furthermore, she urged them to ensure that any future ceasefire, normalization deal, or regional agreement prioritizes the return of her son.
Leah emphasized, “We are turning to and hoping that President Trump and his people — who understand this issue — will recognize that the real victory over Iran is to bring everyone home immediately and unconditionally. Hadar serves as a symbol for us all. The Saudis must insist on this demand, because we cannot discuss normalization while we exist in a state of abnormality.”
Concerns Over Military Ethics
Streaming emotions filled her voice as she described the grave implications of ongoing negotiations without resolving the issue of hostages. Goldin stated, “These deals are a bluff — and this selective process is horrific. It’s killing the families and the hostages. The further we go without bringing everyone back and ending this dreadful situation, the more Hadar Goldins there will be. It’s unbearable.”
Hadar Goldin was born into a notable family known for their dedication to education and service. He cultivated a gentle personality, showcased a keen intellect, and displayed a deep artistic skill. Just before his untimely death, he had recently become engaged. In his leisure time, he enjoyed drawing portraits, writing poetry, and working with children with disabilities.
On August 1, 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, Hadar was serving in the elite Givati Brigade when Hamas launched a surprise attack after a ceasefire had been negotiated with U.S. and U.N. mediation. This ambush led to him being killed and subsequently taken into a Gaza tunnel.
For Leah Goldin, that fateful day shattered not only her family’s life but also what she describes as “the Israeli military’s sacred code.”
She pointed to the longstanding ethos of the Israel Defense Forces, which is to never leave a soldier behind. Despite this code, she lamented, “On August 28, 2014, Israel signed a ceasefire with Hamas without demanding Hadar’s return. That broke something fundamental in our military values.”
A Call for Justice
Leah Goldin has spent the past decade meeting with world leaders, lawmakers, and military officials across the U.S. and Europe, advocating for justice for her son and others in similar situations. She recalls U.N. Security Council Resolution 2474, which was passed in 2019, emphasizing the obligation of all parties in armed conflict to return the remains of deceased individuals as a humanitarian act.
“This is international law,” she declared. “And yet, Hadar remains in Gaza.”
While she acknowledges the Trump administration for addressing the issue seriously, she notes the need for continued advocacy. Leah remarked, “When the resolution passed in 2019, it was Trump’s people — Jason Greenblatt, Nikki Haley — who led the initiative.”
Goldin now sees a unique moment in time, with diplomatic dialogues ongoing between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Gaza. She views this as a crucial opportunity to advocate for Hadar’s return prior to the finalization of any agreements.
“Saudi Arabia wields significant influence,” she stated. “As a leader in the Islamic world, they can demand the return of Hadar and all hostages as an act of goodwill as part of any normalization with Israel.”
Advocacy and Support for Hostage Families
She praised prominent figures such as Steve Witkoff, a Trump envoy involved in negotiations regarding Iran and Saudi Arabia, encouraging him to understand the importance of the hostage situation. “He’s responsible for the deals and knows that hostages are crucial. It is immoral to wait until the agreements are wrapped up before addressing the hostage crisis,” she insisted.
Leah Goldin has also expressed her disenchantment with the Israeli government, insisting that they have systematically overlooked her son’s case for political reasons. She remarked, “It’s the same individuals for over a decade, only in different positions. They execute ceasefires and release terrorists, but they leave Hadar behind.”
Since the Hamas attack on October 7, Leah and her family have embraced a new mission: to support other families with loved ones currently held hostage. They have established the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a coalition formed shortly after the attack.
Reflecting on this endeavor, she shared, “My son Tzur, who also served in special forces, expressed that no family should have to endure this trial alone. We organized our network, offering the tools and experiences we have learned, but it’s a painful journey. We have experienced this loss and understand how easily families can be forgotten.”
Goldin has called the ongoing hostage negotiations a distressing process, describing it as “a nightmare of selection” that unjustly prioritizes some hostages over others. As a daughter of Holocaust survivors, she expressed her deep concern, stating, “This feels like a moral collapse to me.”
Despite the challenges she faces, Leah Goldin vows to continue her fight until Hadar, along with all hostages, is brought home. “Hadar is more than just my son,” she asserted. “He has become a symbol of hope and resilience. In every ceasefire, every negotiation, every moment of ‘business as usual,’ I want the world to remember his name.”
