Ex-IDF Colonel to Hold Indirect Talks With Hamas to Return Soldiers' Bodies
Col. (res.) Lior Lotan, newly appointed by Netanyahu to coordinate efforts on captives, will negotiate for retrieval of bodies of Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul from Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed Col. (res.) Lior Lotan as his special coordinator for captive or missing Israelis, both soldiers and civilians.
Lotan will replace David Meidan, who sought to resign after three years in the volunteer position.
One of his main jobs will be conducting indirect negotiations with Hamas for the return of the bodies of two soldiers killed during this summer’s war in Gaza, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
A decade ago, as head of the army’s department for captive and missing soldiers, Lotan was involved in negotiations with Hezbollah for the return of businessman Elhanan Tennenbaum and the bodies of three soldiers.