Hadar Goldin
Hadar GoldinCourtesy of the family

Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, hy"d, who was killed by Hamas terrorists on Friday, was a close relative of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, it was cleared for publication Sunday morning.

Hebrew media has yet to officially indicate how the two were related, but the Hebrew phrase - karov mishpaha - indicates an immediate or otherwise very close family relationship between the two. 

The gag order was implemented on the family's request, so as to not escalate the situation with Hamas in the event Goldin was alive and being held captive. 

Ya'alon related to his relative's death for the first time publicly on Sunday afternoon. 

"Hadar Goldin, z"l, is in my family," Ya'alon stated. "I have known him since he was born."

"He and his fellow IDF soldiers fell during a campaign to restore peace and security to Israel," the Defense Minister continued. "I am embracing the bereaved families." 

Goldin will be laid to rest at 5:30 pm Sunday in the military cemetery in Kfar Saba. His parents asked that in addition to family and friends, the people who cared so much about his welfare will come to pay last respects to their son.

Late Saturday, the Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brigadier Gen. Rafi Peretz, declared Goldin's death after a 48-hour search for the missing IDF officer and after a special meeting was held with religious officials and IDF staff.

Goldin was killed in Gaza by Hamas terrorists on Friday, who ambushed the Givati Brigade near Rafah in the hours following what was supposed to have been a 72-hour ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.