Israel Rejects Turkish Participation in Gaza Stabilization Force
GAZA – Israel is opposing the inclusion of Turkish soldiers in an international stabilization force proposed for Gaza, citing Turkey’s support for Hamas.This progress comes as Hamas announced it will hand over the remains of israeli officer hadar Goldin, killed in 2014 in gaza, to Israel on Sunday at 2 p.m. local time (13:00 CET).
The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, stated the remains of Goldin were found in a tunnel in Rafah. Goldin, 23, died on August 1, 2014, during a mission with his reconnaissance unit in a tunnel near Rafah during a previous conflict. Israel has yet to independently confirm the identity of the remains.
The handover follows the return of the body of soldier Oron Shaoul in January, who was killed on July 20, 2014, during a military operation in Gaza City. For years, the remains of Goldin and Shaoul have been central to indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, often linked to the potential release of Palestinian prisoners.
Goldin is one of five deceased hostages whose bodies Hamas has yet to return to Israel under the ceasefire agreement that began on October 10. The remaining four are three Israeli citizens and one Thai national, all of whom died during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which initiated the current war in Gaza.
