Greenblatt with Goldin and Shaul falilies
Greenblatt with Goldin and Shaul faliliesTwitter - Jason Greenblatt

Assistant to the US President and Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt today met with the families of Israeli soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul whose bodies continue to be held for ransom by Hamas in Gaza.

"Today I again met with the Goldin & Shaul families whose beloved sons were taken by Hamas in the Gaza conflict," Greenblatt tweeted. "These families are suffering unbearable pain as a result of the shameful, despicable acts of Hamas. All Israelis must be returned & I pray for their families."

Hours after the declaration of the internationally brokered cease-fire during the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict, Operation Protective Edge, Hamas terrorists ignored their own agreement and murdered Lieutenant Goldin, dragging his body deep into one of the underground tunnels in Gaza.

Oron Shaul’s armored personnel carrier (APC) was hit by Hamas terrorists on July 20, 2014, during Operation Protective Edge. All the soldiers on the APC were killed, and his body was abducted during the resulting melee.

Both families have worked tirelessly for the repatriation of the bodies kidnapped by Hamas during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Both soldiers were declared dead by the Israeli government in consultation with the Rabbinate and medical authorities.