Closing the Circle - After 11 years, during which he was defined as an IDF casualty whose whereabouts were unknown, the body of Captain Hadar Goldin was identified at the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Hadar Goldin was born on February 18, 1991, in the town of Ashchar, the son of Simcha, a history professor, and Dr. Leah, a software engineering lecturer. He had a twin brother, Tzur, and an adult brother and sister, Ayelet and Menachem. He was a camper and instructor in the Bnei Akiva youth movement and studied at the Kfar Batya Yeshivah Scientific-Yeshivah School, as well as at the Bnei David Pre-military Preparatory School in his hometown.
In August 2011, Hadar enlisted in the Givati Brigade and volunteered for the brigade's reconnaissance company. He graduated with honors from the infantry officers' course, served as a platoon commander and then as a team commander in the Givati Infantry Regiment. Before Operation Protective Edge, he became engaged to his sweetheart, Edna Sarussi.
The force entered an ambush in which Major Benya Sarel and Sergeant Liel Gideoni were killed. Hadar Goldin was killed in the same encounter and his body was abducted by terrorists through the tunnel to the Gaza Strip.