Thousands of people on Wednesday attended a rally in northern Israel marking three years since Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, killed in the Gaza Strip in separate battles during Operation Protective Edge, were captured by Hamas. Organizers said some 5,000 people arrived at a city park in Tiberias to support the families' demand for the return of their sons' remains. Arab media reported recently that Israel and Hamas were holding secret, indirect negotiations meant to promote a prisoner exchange deal. Israeli officials have called the reports baseless, warning against believing Hamas' psychological warfare. Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar reported on Wednesday that "slight progress" has been made in the talks, saying that Israel has offered Hamas to release several Palestinian lawmakers as the first phase in a deal that would secure the return of the soldiers' remains. Zehava Shaul, Oron's mother, spoke at the rally and called on the defense establishment not to abandon her son. "I call on the defense establishment, the IDF, the government, the prime minister and every minister and Knesset member -- uphold your duty to the soldiers you send into battle. Show them they will not be abandoned. Prove it by getting back my son, Oron, who was on a mission to protect all of us." Communications Minister MK Ayoob Kara, Labor leader Avi Gabbay, Habayit Hayehudi MK Shuli Mualem-Rafaeli, Golani Brigade Commander Col. Shlomi Binder, Tiberias Mayor Yossi Ben David and Yoel Marshak, who heads the campaign to return the soldiers, also spoke at the rally. Next Friday, the Goldin family will hold a memorial service marking their son's death. Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Zionist Union MK Amir Peretz and Givati Brigade Commander Col. Yaron Finkelman are scheduled to attend the service.
