Israel’s military says special forces have found the body of a soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war, which has since been held by Hamas.

The remains of Sgt Oron Shaul were found during a “secret, special operation” by the Israeli army and Shin Bet security forces in Gaza, according to a statement.

His family was informed following an identification process conducted by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Military Rabbinate, it added.

Hamas is expected to hand over Shaul’s remains as part of a new Gaza ceasefire and prisoner release deal, which was due to be launched on Sunday morning but has been delayed.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said Shaul “fell in battle” in the eastern Shejaiya district of Gaza City on 20 July 2014 and was “captured by the terrorist group Hamas”.

“This was a strategic and important task that took place over the past ten years since he fell and was kidnapped, especially during the war and the last few days,” he said at a briefing.

The task of bringing Shaul’s body home for burial was carried out by special forces of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate, the Shayetet 13 Marine Commando Unit and the Shin Bet, he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the special forces involved “for their intelligence and bravery”.

He said pictures of Shaul and Goldin “have been in front of me in my office for years as a daily testimony of my commitment to bringing them home”.

“We have completed the task of bringing back Oron and we will not rest until we complete the task of bringing back Hadar Goldin,” he said.

“We will continue to take action to bring back all our captors, living and dead.”

Netanyahu issued the statement shortly after the announcement The start of a ceasefire in Gaza will be delayed until Hamas confirms the names of the first hostages it plans to release. in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas blamed technical difficulties for the failure to provide the list, and said it remained committed to the deal.

Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the attack on 7 October 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured.

At least 46,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Most of the 2.3 million people have been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter as a result of the struggle to get aid to those in need.

Israel says 94 of those captured are still being held by Hamas, of whom 34 are believed to have died.

The first phase of the six-week ceasefire should see the 33 hostages – including women, children and the elderly – exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Israeli forces will move back to the east, away from populated areas of Gaza, where Palestinian refugees will be allowed to begin returning home and hundreds of aid trucks will be allowed into the area every day.

Negotiations for the second phase – which should see the remaining hostages released, the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army and a return to “sustainable peace” – will begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.

The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza – which could take years – and the return of the remaining bodies of the captives.