Zehava Shaul, mother of St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul, a fallen soldier whose remains were held by Hamas for a decade, has passed away, the Jordan Valley Regional Council said on Friday morning.
“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 eulogized her in its statement. “The council embraces the family at this time and bows its head in her memory.”
Zehava will be buried in Poria Illit, located near the Kinneret in northern Israel, beside her husband Herzl and son, Oron.
On July 20, 2014, Oron, 20, entered the Shejaia neighborhood near Gaza City in an armored personnel carrier with six other soldiers. The APC was struck by a Kornet anti-tank missile fired by Hamas, killing all those inside.
Oron’s remains were recovered from the Gaza Strip by the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) in January 2025.
“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,” President Isaac Herzog shared in a post on X.
“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.”
קיבלנו בצער עמוק את הידיעה על פטירתה של זהבה שאול ז״ל – אם אמיצה, נחושה ומעוררת השראה, שהקדישה יותר מעשור למאבק בלתי מתפשר להשבת בנה, סמל ראשון אורון שאול ז״ל, לקבר ישראל.
מיכל ואני זכינו ללוות את זהבה ומשפחת שאול לאורך השנים, עד הרגע הכואב והמטלטל שבו הובא אורון למנוחת עולמים,… pic.twitter.com/nVUOpHnaji
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) July 24, 2026
Oron’s remains returned in secret operation
The secret operation, which involved Shayetet 13 and other special forces, was carried out overnight, somewhere in northern Gaza, and announced just before the Israel-Hamas ceasefire had taken effect.
Oron was laid to rest on January 20, 2025.
“I am in shock,” Zehava had said during a press conference following the return of Oron’s remains. “I’ve been waiting for Oron for 10 and a half years. And believe me, I didn’t believe I would see this moment.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the operation after it was cleared for publication, saying, “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.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
