Defense officials: Hadar Goldin’s body being held in Rafah, where 150 Hamas operatives are trapped

The body of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed and abducted by Hamas during the 2014 Gaza War, is assessed by Israel to be held in southern Gaza’s Rafah, where some 150 terror operatives are holed up in a tunnel network, according to Israeli defense officials.

The IDF has avoided launching airstrikes or demolishing the specific tunnel in the Jenina neighborhood where the operatives are holed up, over fears that Goldin’s body may be lost, the officials claim.

The operatives trapped in Rafah are assessed to have information on the location of the body, although it remains unclear if the remains are being held in the tunnel with the gunmen or at another location in the area.

The US has reportedly been pressuring Israel to permit safe passage for the operatives who are trapped in the IDF-held area of southern Gaza, as part of efforts to advance to the next stage of the emerging ceasefire framework based on Trump’s plan.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly recommended to political officials earlier this week that Israel should condition the safe passage of the operatives from Rafah to Hamas-held areas of the Strip on the return of Goldin’s body.

However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israel will not allow them safe passage.