Slain hostage Meni Goddard, 73 (Screenshot/Facebook)
Meni Goddard’s daughter says officials offered “no concrete information” about a time frame for the return of her father’s body.
By World Israel News Staff
The family of one of the last remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip had been told by the Israeli government that the return of their father’s body could take months or even years, as little is known about his current whereabouts.
Meni Goddard, 73, was murdered by invading Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists on October 7, 2023, in Kibbutz Be’eri. His body was abducted to the Gaza Strip, where it has been held for more than two years.
In a clear violation of the Trump-brokered ceasefire, Hamas has not secured the return of Goddard’s body, claiming it is being held by PIJ.
Under the terms of the truce, Hamas pledged to return all hostages — living and deceased— regardless of which group was responsible for their abduction or captivity.
Since the deal was signed in October, most of the deceased hostages have been returned, including IDF soldier Hadar Goldin, whose body was held by Hamas since 2014.
But for the Goddard family, the wait continues.
“We understand that [the process] could go on for months,” said Bar, Goddard’s daughter, in an interview with Army Radio on Wednesday morning.
“I spoke with [government hostage coordinator] Gal Hirsch, and I understood that there is no concrete information they can give us,” she added.
Goddard’s wife, Ayelet, 63, hid for several hours during the October 7 massacre, messaging their children that their father had been murdered.
She was later killed as well, her body found in bushes near the family home.
The couple is survived by their four children — Mor, Gal, Bar, and Goni — and several grandchildren.
Goddard’s body is one of three deceased Israeli nationals still held in Gaza, alongside Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, who was killed in battle against invading terrorists, and Dror Or of Kibbutz Be’eri.
The body of a Thai foreign worker, Sudthisak Rinthalak, also remains in Gaza.
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