Israel has recovered the remains of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, the military said on Monday. The move fulfils a key condition of the initial phase of a U.S. plan aimed at ending the war in the Palestinian territory.
The military said the remains of police officer Ran Gvili had been identified and would be returned to Israel for burial. Gvili had been held in Gaza for more than 840 days.
The recovery may clear the way for a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The crossing serves as the enclave’s main gateway to the outside world and has remained largely shut. Israeli officials had pledged that the crossing could reopen once the last hostage was returned.
A Palestinian committee of technocrats, backed by the United States to administer Gaza, said the crossing would open this week. However, an Israeli government spokesperson offered no immediate comment when asked to confirm the timing.
Deceased Hostage Remembered As Hero
Gvili’s remains had been held in Gaza since he was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The assault on southern Israeli communities triggered Israel’s subsequent military offensive.
Israeli television footage showed dozens of soldiers standing arm in arm at what was described as the recovery site inside Gaza. The soldiers sang a Hebrew song associated with Jewish hope and faith. Separate images showed what appeared to be a casket draped in the Israeli flag and surrounded by troops.
In social media posts on Monday, Gvili’s mother Talik described her son as a hero. Gvili had been off duty on the day of the attack and was recovering from an injury. Despite this, he joined the fighting and was killed during clashes with Gaza militants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery as an unbelievable achievement for the country while speaking to reporters at the Knesset. He said Gvili went in first and emerged last, calling him a hero of Israel.
Hostage Deal And Unfinished Commitments
Gvili was among 251 people taken hostage during the October 7 attack. At the time a ceasefire deal was agreed in October, 48 hostages remained in Gaza. Israeli authorities believed 28 of them were dead, including Gvili.
Returning all living and deceased hostages formed a core commitment of the first phase of the deal. However, other elements remain unfulfilled, and deep divisions persist over the next steps.
In Israel, the return of Gvili’s body had been widely anticipated as a moment of national healing. The attack was seen by many as the most traumatic event in the country’s history. Across Israel, yellow ribbons and posters bearing the faces of hostages appeared on highways, buildings, and homes. Meanwhile, weekly demonstrations gathered at a Tel Aviv plaza known as Hostages Square.
Next Phase Of U.S. Plan
Even before the remains were recovered, the Trump administration announced that the U.S.-led plan would move into its next phase. That stage is expected to focus on reconstruction in Gaza and the demilitarisation of the territory.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the discovery confirmed the group’s commitment to the plan. He said Hamas would continue to support the work of the national Gaza administration. Hamas also said information it provided helped locate Gvili’s body.
Gaza’s border with Egypt was meant to reopen during the initial phase. However, Israeli officials had objected, insisting Hamas must first return the final hostage. Reuters reported that Israel wants to restrict the number of Palestinians entering Gaza and to screen travellers at a nearby military checkpoint.
The October 2023 attack killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s assault has killed 71,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s health authorities say.
With inputs from Reuters
