Hadar Goldin

Hadar Goldin was born in 1991 in Eshhar

Goldin was born in Eshhar, a community in the Misgav Regional Council. His father Simcha Goldin was a history professor at Tel Aviv University, and his mother Dr. Leah Goldin taught software engineering. He had a twin brother, Tzur, and two older siblings.

He was a member and counselor in the Bnei Akiva youth movement. He attended the Kfar Batya high school and then the Bnei David pre-military academy.

He joined the IDF in August 2011 and volunteered for the Givati reconnaissance company. After officer training he commanded a platoon and later a team in the Givati reconnaissance unit. He became engaged to Edna Sarousi in 2014.

On 1 August 2014, during a ceasefire, militants emerged from a tunnel near Rafah and attacked his force. Goldin was killed and his body was taken into the tunnel. The IDF declared him a fallen soldier whose burial place was unknown and promoted him to lieutenant.

His family campaigned for years for the return of his body, meeting UN leaders and showing exhibitions of his art. Hamas returned his body on 9 November 2025, and he was buried at the Kfar Saba military cemetery on 11 November.