Remains of final Gaza hostage Ran Gvili recovered, announces Israeli military
The announcement by Israeli military on Monday came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government said that its army was conducting a "large scale operation" in a cemetery in northern Gaza.
People hold signs with a photo of Ran Gvili, who was killed while fighting Hamas militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and whose body has been held in Gaza ever since, during a rally calling for his return in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo)
The Israeli military has announced that they have retrieved the remains of the final hostage in Gaza, which has potentially cleared the way for the next phase of ceasefire as it fulfills US President Donald Trump’s key condition to end the Gaza war.
The announcement by Israeli military on Monday came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government said that its army was conducting a “large scale operation” in a cemetery in northern Gaza to locate the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage.
There are officially no more hostages in captivity in Gaza.
In the first phase of Gaza’s ceasefire deal, returning all remaining hostages, living or dead, was a key part and Gvili’s family had urged the Israeli government to not enter into the second phase of ceasefire until his remains were recovered and returned.
Ceasefire mediators, including the United States have been pressuring Israel and Hamas to move into the second phase of the Washington-brokered truce, which came into effect on October 10.
Israel had earlier said that it would reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which is the enclave’s main gateway to the world, once the remains of Gvili returns or the search operation for his body concludes.
Who was Ran Gvili
The final hostage remains in Gaza were of Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ran Gvili, 24, who served in the Israeli Police Special Forces. According to Israeli Defence Forces, “Gvili fell in combat on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.”
The deceased hostage SFC Ran Gvili has been identified and will be returned for burial.
According to the information and intelligence available to us, SFC Ran Gvili, 24, who served in the Israeli Police Special Forces, fell in combat on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, and his body… https://t.co/K4vFVsF60rpic.twitter.com/TN2CWMpKEM
The IDF in a post on X further added, “The IDF expresses deep condolences to family. The IDF will continue to support the families and the returnees, and to act to strengthen the security of the citizens of Israel.”
Gvili was killed at Kibbutz Alumim in October 2023 when militant group Hamas launched its surprise attack in the southern Israel.
A ceasefire was agreed between Israel and Hamas in October last year amid pressure from regional powers and President Trump, who called the Washington-backed truce a first step toward a “strong, durable and everlasting peace”.
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People hold signs with a photo of Ran Gvili, who was killed while fighting Hamas militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack and whose body has been held in Gaza ever since, during a rally calling for his return in Tel Aviv, Israel. (AP Photo) 
