Oron Shaul’s body recovered after kidnapping, mile-long march by Gaza informant — report
A complex, year-long operation by Israeli forces culminated in the recovery of the remains of Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, an Israeli soldier killed and abducted in Gaza in 2014. Details of the clandestine mission were revealed by Ynet on Friday, shedding light on the intricate intelligence work and tactical maneuvers involved.
The Recovery Operation
The recovery of Shaul’s remains was announced in January 2025, coinciding with the implementation of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that facilitated the release of numerous hostages. The operation itself involved the arrest of a “key figure” residing in Gaza City, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). This individual, apprehended by the elite Sayeret Matkal unit, provided crucial information following interrogation by the Shin Bet intelligence agency, leading to the location of Shaul’s body.
Uncovering the Trail
Intelligence gathered in early October 2024 played a pivotal role in the investigation. Shin Bet and IDF intelligence units discovered correspondence on a Hamas computer between a Hamas operative and Izz al-Din Haddad, the current head of the terror organization’s military wing in Gaza City. This communication reportedly included a warning about a prisoner held by Israel – captured from Shifa hospital in Gaza – possessing information regarding Shaul’s whereabouts.
Further interrogations of prisoners from Shifa hospital led investigators to Ibrahim Hilu, a former Hamas commander who had transitioned to working as a merchant. Hilu was suspected of concealing Shaul’s body in a refrigerator within one of three shops located under his home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City. Initial searches of Hilu’s home by IDF troops had not discovered the body.
A Covert Capture and Final Retrieval
Due to concerns about the reliability of the intelligence and the potential risk to living hostages, Israeli forces opted for a covert operation to apprehend Hilu. After Hilu relocated to a displaced persons camp in Deir al-Balah, security forces contacted him under false pretenses, convincing him to rent a warehouse near the Salah al-Din route. Despite initial reluctance and mechanical issues with his vehicle, Hilu eventually arrived at the warehouse, where he was captured by Sayeret Matkal troops.
Following Hilu’s interrogation, he revealed the location of Shaul’s body. However, with a ceasefire looming, a direct raid was deemed too risky. Instead, a Palestinian informant was tasked with retrieving the remains. The informant successfully located the body inside the locked refrigerator, requiring a return trip for tools to gain access. During the break-in, the IDF reportedly used artillery fire to mask the noise.
The informant then transported Shaul’s body, wrapped in a rug, for approximately 1.5 kilometers (roughly one mile) to awaiting IDF troops, bringing an end to the decade-long search. Footage released by the IDF on January 20, 2025, showed a convoy returning to Israel with Shaul’s remains.
The Broader Context
Shaul was initially kidnapped on July 20, 2014, during intense fighting in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood. His armored personnel carrier became disabled under attack by Hamas operatives, and his body was subsequently taken by the group. The recovery of Shaul’s remains followed the return of the body of Lt. Hadar Goldin in November, resolving another long-standing case of a soldier lost in conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did intelligence play in recovering Staff Sgt. Shaul’s remains?
Intelligence gathered from a Hamas computer, interrogations of prisoners from Shifa hospital, and the subsequent capture and interrogation of Ibrahim Hilu were all critical to locating Shaul’s body.
Why was a covert operation used to capture Ibrahim Hilu instead of a direct raid?
Israeli forces believed a direct raid on Hilu’s shops risked endangering living hostages who may have been nearby, and the initial intelligence was not considered sufficiently reliable to justify that risk.
What happened during the final retrieval of Staff Sgt. Shaul’s remains?
A Palestinian informant was sent to retrieve the body from a refrigerator in Hilu’s home. The informant had to return for tools to break into the locked refrigerator, and the IDF used artillery fire to mask the noise during the break-in. The body was then carried to awaiting IDF troops.
Considering the complexities of this operation, what challenges do intelligence agencies and militaries face when attempting to recover remains in conflict zones?