Turkey said to claim it aided Goldin’s return, with Israel denying trapped Hamas members will be spared in return

Turkey helped secure the return of the body of slain hostage Hadar Goldin to Israel today and is seeking the safe evacuation of Hamas operatives trapped in southern Gaza, a senior Turkish official is cited by Israeli media as saying.

“We are pleased to confirm that Turkey has successfully facilitated the return of Hadar Goldin’s remains to Israel after 11 years. This achievement is the outcome of intensive efforts and reflects Hamas’s clear commitment to the ceasefire,” the Turkish official tells Channel 12 news.

The official adds that, “at the same time, we are working to ensure the safe passage of some 200 Gazans currently trapped in the tunnels,” referring to the 100-200 Hamas operatives holed up in a tunnel network on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line in southern Gaza’s Rafah, whose fate remains under negotiation.

But in apparent contrast to the Turkish official’s claim, a separate, unsourced report by Channel 12 alleges that Turkey told Hamas to hold out for the freeing of the terrorists in the tunnels in return for Goldin’s body, but Israel refused to agree to such conditions. The Prime Minister’s Office did not respond to a request for comment on the reports.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian source tells the Kan public broadcaster that Turkey, with US backing, is exerting the main pressure on Hamas to release the bodies of the remaining four hostages in Gaza.

According to the source, Hamas is facing difficulties in returning some of the four bodies, which mediators understand and accept are beyond the terror group’s control.

The remaining slain hostages are Israeli captives Ran Gvili, Meny Godard and Dror Or, as well as Sudthisak Rinthalak, a Thai citizen.