The Israel Defense Forces revealed on Tuesday that it had destroyed the Gaza tunnel shaft into which Lt. Hadar Goldin was kidnapped in 2014.
The underground route was dismantled hours after Goldin’s body was returned to Israel on Sunday after 4,118 days in Hamas captivity. The mission was carried out by the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, the army said.
🎯11 years after Lieutenant Hadar Goldin’s abduction, and only hours after his return, IDF troops dismantled the tunnel shaft from which he was kidnapped. pic.twitter.com/DeQEAJxkiG
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 11, 2025
The IDF statement came as Goldin was laid to rest at the military cemetery in the central city of Kfar Saba on Tuesday morning.
“The circle is closed—'Operation Protective Edge’ has come to an end,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told attendees at the ceremony.
Hamas killed Goldin on Aug. 1, 2014, two hours after a ceasefire took effect in that year’s war between Israel and the Palestinian terrorists.
Goldin, who was engaged to be married, is survived by his parents Leah and Simcha, a sister, a brother and a twin brother. Goldin’s weapon, a Tavor rifle that was brandished with glee by Hamas terrorists in video footage aired in December 2022, was recently returned to his family.
