Herzl Shaul's funeral
Herzl Shaul's funeralצילום: ללא קרדיט

Hundreds attended the funeral of Herzl Shaul, son of fallen IDF soldier Oron Shaul Hy'D whose body is in the hands of Hamas. Shaul died Friday after a protracted illness.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Rivlin are attending the funeral.

Aviram Shaul. son of Herzl, eulogized his father and said: "Why did you go, father? What will we do without you? You promised that you would stay until Oron came back. Stick by your word and come back.

"In the last few years we have unfortunately suffered some difficult times" said Aviram. "My father died of anguish and of regret for having sat Shiva for Oron. Had we been able to turn the clock back, we would not have sat Shiva. Would you sit Shiva on the basis of a hole in a helmet?"

Rivlin also eulogized and promised that Israel would do everything possible to recover the bodies of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin which have been in Hamas hands since the Protective Edge campaign.

"We net a month ago at my residence, you were very sick and had no illusions" said Rivlin. "You looked at the picture of Oron hanging in my office and had difficulty speaking. I'm sorry you didn't merit seeing us complete your mission.

"In your lifetime you didn't merit bringing back your beloved son. Instead I promise what the government, the IDF and the Chief of Staff promised you, that we will continue to work daily to return Oron and Hadar home."

Prime Minister Netanyahu said to the Shaul family that "the entire nation is crying with you and hugging you with love. I came here to be at your side at this painful time when the cup of sorrow had overflowed for you. I came here to give the proper honor to a noble person. our dear Herzl O.B.M. who fought his illness with bravery to his last breath.

"I came here to look in your eyes and say that my obligation and that of the government of Israel, of the IDF and of the State of israel is to bring Oron and Hadar back home. This task is at the top of our minds and we will not desist from it." emphasized Netanyahu.

The Chief of Staff, Gadi Eisenkot, also spoke and reiterated the obligation to return Oron and Hadar to a Jewish grave.