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

Zehava Shaul, the mother of Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, a soldier whose remains were held by Hamas for a decade, has died. The Jordan Valley Regional Council announced her passing on Friday morning, eulogizing her as a "dear and noble woman" who fought for more than 10 years to bring her son home for burial in Israel.

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Zehava was a dear and noble woman, who fought for over 10 years to return her son Oron to a burial in Israel. The council embraces the family at this time and bows its head in her memory.

Oron Shaul was killed on July 20, 2014, when an armored personnel carrier he was in was struck by a Kornet anti-tank missile fired by Hamas in the Shejaia neighborhood near Gaza City. He was among seven soldiers in the vehicle who died in the attack. His remains were recovered from the Gaza Strip by the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in January 2025, following a secret operation.

President Isaac Herzog shared his condolences, stating that he and his wife were "privileged to accompany Zahava and the Shaul family over the years, up to the painful and earth-shattering moment when Oron was laid to rest, after more than ten years of waiting, pain, and longing." He remembered Zehava's figure as etched in the nation's heart, a mother who "never for a moment gave up on her son, and as a symbol of perseverance and hope even in the most difficult moments."

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Michal and I were privileged to accompany Zahava and the Shaul family over the years, up to the painful and earth-shattering moment when Oron was laid to rest, after more than ten years of waiting, pain, and longing. Zahava's figure will be etched in the heart of the nation as a mother who never for a moment gave up on her son, and as a symbol of perseverance and hope even in the most difficult moments. May her memory be a blessing.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the operation to retrieve Oron's body after it was cleared for publication. He extended his "heartfelt embrace to the Shaul family" and expressed gratitude to the Shin Bet and IDF forces. Zehava herself had expressed shock and disbelief following the return of her son's remains, saying during a press conference, "I’ve been waiting for Oron for 10 and a half years. And believe me, I didn’t believe I would see this moment."

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I am in shock. I’ve been waiting for Oron for 10 and a half years. And believe me, I didn’t believe I would see this moment.

Zehava Shaul will be buried in Poria Illit, in northern Israel, beside her husband Herzl and son, Oron. Her long struggle and unwavering hope have made her a symbol of maternal devotion and resilience for many in Israel.

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In a special operation conducted by the Shin Bet and the IDF just before the ceasefire took effect, we successfully brought back to Israel the body of Golani Brigade soldier Oron Shaul, of blessed memory. I extend my heartfelt embrace to the Shaul family and express my deepest gratitude to the Shin Bet and IDF forces for their unwavering courage and determination.