Jerusalem: Israel has recovered the remains of the last Israeli hostage who was held in Gaza, the military said on Monday. The body was identified as that of Ran Gvili, a young Israeli police officer who went missing during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli army said the remains were found during a special operation in Gaza and were brought back to Israel for identification. His family has been informed and preparations are being made for his burial.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the recovery ended a long and painful chapter for the country. He said Israel would continue efforts to bring home every missing person and to account for those who died in the conflict.
With the return of Gvili’s remains, Israeli officials said there are now no Israeli hostages left in Gaza. This development is seen as an important step in the ongoing ceasefire process between Israel and Hamas, which was brokered with the help of the United States and other international partners.
Israeli authorities said the move clears a key condition for advancing the next stage of the ceasefire plan. This includes discussions on reopening the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which could allow more movement of people and humanitarian aid.
The war in Gaza has caused massive destruction and a severe humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies say large parts of the territory remain unlivable, with shortages of food, water and medical supplies.
Diplomatic efforts are now focused on maintaining the fragile truce and moving toward a longer term political solution for Gaza. However, major challenges remain, including the future governance of the territory and security arrangements.
The recovery of the last hostage’s remains has brought a sense of closure for many Israelis, but it also highlights the deep human cost of the conflict, which continues to affect both Israelis and Palestinians.