US Ambassador to UN meets with parents of IDF soldier whose body is held by Hamas

The Goldins reached out to Ambassador Haley for help in bringing their slain son for burial in Israel. 

Leah and Dr. Simha Goldin, the parents of IDF solider Lt. Hadar Goldin who was killed during Operation Protective Edge and whose body is held by the Hamas terror organization, met on Wednesday with US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

Goldin was killed and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip during a UN sponsored ceasefire in August 2014, towards the end of the counter-terror campaign.

During their meeting, the Goldin family requested that Haley assist in their efforts to return Hadar and IDF Sgt. Oron Shaul, whose body is also held by Hamas, for burial in Israel.

“We thank Ambassador Haley for meeting with the Goldin family,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

“Hadar was killed and kidnapped by despicable terrorists during a UN sponsored ceasefire and we won’t rest until this organization ensures his and Oron’s return for proper burial in Israel,” Danon continued.

“We appreciate Ambassador Haley’s willingness to assist us in the return of our sons and we hope that these efforts bear fruit as soon as possible,” added Leah and Simha Goldin.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident

Shaul died in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Avra Mangisto and Hisham Al-Sayed are two Israeli civilians believed to be held by Hamas after entering the Strip on their own.

Hamas recently claimed that it turned down an Israeli offer for a prisoner swap in exchange for two Israeli citizens and the remains of two IDF soldiers.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News