The Israeli army found the body of a soldier who had been kept in Gaza since 2014

Israel’s military says special forces have recovered the body of a soldier killed in the Gaza war in 2014, who has been held hostage by Hamas since then.

The bodies of staff Sgt Oron Shaul were found during a “covert, special operation” by the Israeli army and Shin Bet security forces in Gaza, according to the statement.

His family was informed following the identification process conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Military Rabbinate, it added.

Hamas was expected to hand over Shaul’s remains as part of a new ceasefire deal in Gaza and the release of hostages, which was meant to start Sunday morning but was delayed.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said Shaul “fell in battle” in Gaza City’s eastern Shejaiya district on 20 July 2014 and was “captured by the terrorist organization Hamas”.

“This was an important intellectual work and work that has lasted for the last ten years since his fall and captivity, especially during the war and these last few days,” he told the forum.

The mission to bring Shaul’s body home for burial was carried out by special units of the IDF military intelligence unit, the Shayetet 13 Marine commando unit and Shin Bet personnel, he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the special forces that took part for their “intelligence and courage”.

He said the photos of Shaul and Goldin “have been in front of me in my office for many years as daily evidence of my commitment to bring them home”.

“We have completed the work of bringing back Oron and we will not rest until we complete the work of bringing back Hadar Goldin,” he added.

“We will continue to take action to return all our captors, living and dead.”

Netanyahu released this statement shortly after he said it The start of the Gaza ceasefire will be delayed until Hamas confirms the names of the first hostages it plans to release. in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas has blamed technical problems for failing to hand over the list, saying it remains committed to a deal.

Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the attack on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured.

About 46,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the area. Most of the 2.3 million people have been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter due to the struggle to get aid to those in need.

Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to have died.

The first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement should see 33 hostages – including women, children and the elderly – exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Israeli forces will also withdraw to the east, away from the densely populated areas of Gaza, and displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid trucks will be allowed into the area each day.

The second phase of talks – which should see the release of remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a return to “sustainable calm” – will begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.

The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of hostages.