Jerusalem, 2 June, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli authorities filed an indictment against a Hamas operative accused of holding the body of Israeli soldier Sgt. Oron Shaul for a decade in a civilian building in Gaza City, Israeli security agencies announced on Tuesday.
The suspect, Identified as Ibrahim Hilo, is a member of Hamas’s Shati Battalion. The Southern District Attorney’s Office submitted a statement of intent to the Beer-Sheva District Court following the completion of a joint investigation by the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Police. Investigators uncovered intelligence linking Hilo to the prolonged holding of Shaul’s remains, leading to his arrest in a covert operation in Gaza City.
According to the investigation, Hamas operatives kept Shaul’s body inside a civilian structure in Gaza City for approximately ten years.
“Operational intelligence cooperation enabled the identification and recovery of Sgt. Oron Shaul,” the security agencies said. “Lahav 433 built the evidentiary foundation leading to the indictment statement.” Lahav 433 is the Israeli police unit responsible for investigating serious crime and corruption.
Shaul and six other soldiers were killed on July 20, 2014, in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood when their armored personnel carrier was struck by anti-tank missiles. The attack was led by Izz al-Din al-Haddad, who later became Hamas’ highest-ranking commander in Gaza until he was Killed in an airstrike in May.
Shaul’s body was held by Hamas for a decade until Israeli forces recovered his remains in January 2025. He was later laid to rest in the northern community of Poriya.
Officials involved in the operation emphasized that planning was conducted with safeguards to avoid endangering living hostages believed to be held in Gaza City at the time.
Shaul was closely associated with Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed days later in Rafah and whose body was also held by Hamas. The terror group returned Goldin’s remains as part of a ceasefire agreement in November 2025.