Mother of St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul, fallen soldier whose remains were held by Hamas, passes away

Zehava Shaul, mother of Golani Brigade soldier Oron Shaul, whose burial in Israel concluded 11-year wait, dies

Zehava Shaul, mother of St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul, a fallen soldier whose remains were held by Hamas for over a decade, has passed away, according to the Jordan Valley Regional Council.

“Zehava was a dear and noble woman who dedicated over a decade to securing her son’s return for a proper burial in Israel,” the council’s statement read. “Our hearts stand with the family during this difficult time.”

Zehava will be laid to rest in Poria Illit, near the Kinneret region in northern Israel, beside her husband Herzl and son Oron.

On July 20, 2014, Oron, then 20, entered the Shejaia neighborhood near Gaza City with six fellow soldiers aboard an armored personnel carrier. The convoy was struck by a Hamas-launched Kornet anti-tank missile, resulting in the deaths of all occupants.

President Isaac Herzog expressed gratitude for the Shaul family’s resilience. “As Michal and I accompanied Zahava through years of waiting, culminating in Oron’s burial, it was a poignant reminder of perseverance amid profound pain. May her memory be a blessing.”

Zehava’s legacy will endure as a symbol of unyielding determination. “This moment—a parent’s deepest hope realized—is etched into our nation’s heart,” declared an anonymous council representative.

Secret operation recovers Oron’s remains

The retrieval, executed by Shayetet 13 and IDF special forces in northern Gaza overnight ahead of the ceasefire, marked a pivotal military achievement.

“I am in shock,” Zehava Shaul told reporters after her son’s remains arrived. “After 11 years, I feared I’d never see this day,” she added, her voice trembling.

Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the operation’s significance: “We are eternally grateful to the Shin Bet and IDF for their valor in bringing Oron Shaul home. His return honors the sacrifices of the Golani Brigade.”

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.

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