The Unreturned: A Deep Dive into Hostages and Remains from the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has left a devastating human toll, extending beyond those instantly killed or injured. A particularly heartbreaking aspect is the fate of hostages and the recovery of remains – a process fraught with difficulty and deeply impacting families on both sides.This article provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, detailing the complexities of identifying remains, the stories of those still missing, and the broader context of this tragic element of the war.
The Exchange of Remains: A Difficult Process
In recent developments, Israel has returned the bodies of 285 Palestinians to Gaza. However, crucial details surrounding these remains remain unclear. It’s currently unknown whether these individuals were killed during the October 7th attack, perished while in Israeli custody, or were casualties of the war itself, taken by Israeli troops during operations in Gaza.
This lack of clarity adds to the immense grief and complicates the process of closure for Palestinian families. Gaza’s health officials are facing meaningful challenges in identification, hampered by a critical shortage of DNA testing kits. As of now, they’ve only been able to identify 84 of the returned bodies.
Remembering Those Still Missing: Individual stories of Loss
Beyond the statistics, each missing person represents a life tragically cut short and a family left in agonizing uncertainty. Here, we share the stories of some of those whose remains have not been returned, offering a glimpse into the human cost of this conflict.
1. Meny Godard, 73 – A Life Dedicated to Community
meny Godard was a pillar of Kibbutz Be’eri, having served his community in numerous roles after a prior military career. A former professional soccer player and veteran of the 1973 Mideast War, he worked at the kibbutz’s printing press, among other positions.
On October 7th, Meny and his wife, Ayelet, were forced from their burning home. Ayelet bravely hid for hours before being discovered and tragically killed, managing to tell her children of Meny’s fate before she died. The family held a joint funeral, leaving behind four children and six grandchildren.
2. Hadar Goldin, 23 - A Soldier Lost before the current War
Hadar goldin’s remains represent a particularly long-standing pain. He was killed in action on August 1, 2014, just two hours after a ceasefire was declared during that year’s conflict. Evidence recovered from the tunnel where his body was taken – including a blood-soaked shirt and religious fringes - quickly confirmed his death.
His family has endured over 4,000 days of uncertainty as his body was taken. Hadar is survived by his parents and three siblings,including a twin,and was engaged to be married. The recent recovery of another soldier’s remains from the 2014 war offers a small measure of hope, but the wait for Hadar continues.
3. Ran Gvili, 24 – A Dedicated Officer’s sacrifice
Ran Gvili, an elite police officer, exemplified dedication to duty. Despite recovering from a broken shoulder sustained in a motorcycle accident, he rushed to assist colleagues on October 7th.
He bravely helped people escape the Nova music festival before being killed in combat and his body taken to Gaza. His death wasn’t confirmed for four months, leaving his parents and sister in agonizing suspense.
4. Dror Or, 52 – A Cheesemaker and family Man
Dror Or was a beloved father of three and a skilled cheesemaker, managing the dairy farm at Kibbutz Be’eri for 15 years. His expertise was highly regarded by family and friends.
On October 7th, the Or family hid in their safe room as militants set their home ablaze. Dror and his wife, Yonat, were killed in the attack. Their children,Noam (17) and Alma (13),were abducted but thankfully released during the November 2023 ceasefire.
5. Sudthisak Rinthalak – A Thai Worker Caught in the Conflict
Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker from Thailand, employed at Kibbutz Be’eri since 2017. Divorced and seeking work, he became one of 31 Thai nationals kidnapped on October
