Israel Recovers Remains of Last Gaza Hostage, Paving Way for Ceasefire’s Next Phase
Israel on Monday recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, bringing to a close a deeply painful chapter for the country and clearing the path for the next, more complex phase of the ceasefire with Hamas.
The Israeli military said the remains of police officer Ran Gvili were found in a cemetery in northern Gaza and returned to Israel. Gvili was killed during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war and was among the first people taken into Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery as “an incredible achievement,” praising Israeli forces involved in the operation. Dozens of relatives, colleagues and military officials received Gvili’s coffin at an army post near the Gaza border, while crowds lined roads to pay their respects as the convoy travelled to Tel Aviv.
“You should see the honor you’re receiving here,” Gvili’s father, Itzik, said as he kissed his son’s flag-draped coffin. “The entire people are with you. I’m proud of you.”
The return of all remaining hostages, living or dead, was a key requirement of the first phase of the ceasefire. Hamas said it has now fulfilled those terms.
Netanyahu’s office said Israel will move to open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt following the completion of the search for Gvili. The crossing, viewed by Palestinians as a vital link to the outside world, has been largely closed since May 2024. Its reopening is expected to allow greater movement of people and increased humanitarian aid.
The next phase of the ceasefire is expected to address more contentious issues, including the deployment of an international security force, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the disarmament of Hamas and Gaza’s long-term reconstruction.
“The next phase is disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu told lawmakers, stressing that reconstruction would follow security arrangements.
Palestinians in Gaza expressed cautious optimism that reopening Rafah would ease travel restrictions and allow patients to seek medical care abroad. Aid agencies say large quantities of humanitarian supplies are waiting in Egypt to enter Gaza once the crossing opens.
U.S. officials said Egypt, Qatar and Turkey played key roles in facilitating the recovery of Gvili’s remains, adding that Hamas cooperated in the process. They said they now expect both sides to move forward with the second phase of the ceasefire.
Since the truce began, Israel has received 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others, while releasing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returning more than 300 Palestinian bodies to Gaza.
The Oct. 7, 2023, attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed at least 71,660 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
In a symbolic gesture marking the return of the final hostage, Israeli President Isaac Herzog removed the yellow pin worn to show solidarity with hostage families.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Press Association has asked Israel’s Supreme Court to allow independent media access to Gaza, arguing that restrictions on journalists are no longer justified. A ruling is expected soon.
