According to local media, the International Committee of the Red Cross transferred Goldin's remains from Hamas to the Israeli military over the weekend. The remains were taken to a forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification.

Israeli media reported that the recovery was facilitated through indirect mediation by international organizations amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Officials have not disclosed details of the operation or whether any deal was involved.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during Sunday's cabinet meeting that Goldin“fell heroically in battle,” and praised the army's persistent efforts to bring him home after more than a decade.

Hamas fighters had captured Goldin's body during a surprise tunnel attack near Rafah shortly after a 72-hour ceasefire began in August 2014. The group had refused for years to release information about his fate or return his body.

The soldier's family has long campaigned for his return, accusing successive Israeli governments of failing to pressure Hamas adequately during prisoner exchange negotiations.

Goldin's remains were recovered after 4,118 days, marking one of Israel's longest efforts to retrieve a fallen soldier. His family is expected to hold a burial ceremony in their hometown later this week.

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