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Israel announced on Monday that it has recovered the remains of Ran Gvili, the last remaining Israeli hostage held in Gaza, marking a major milestone in ongoing efforts to end the war in the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military confirmed that Gvili’s remains have been identified and will be returned to Israel for burial, more than 840 days after he was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack.
Gvili, a police officer, was off duty and recovering from an injury when he was killed while fighting Gaza militants during the assault on southern Israel that triggered the prolonged conflict. His body had been held in Gaza since then. The recovery fulfills a key condition of the initial phase of a U.S.-backed plan, championed by President Donald Trump, aimed at ending the war and stabilizing Gaza.
The return of Gvili’s remains could pave the way for a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the enclave’s main gateway to the outside world. Israeli officials had previously insisted that the crossing would not reopen until all hostages, living and deceased, were returned. A U.S.-backed Palestinian committee of technocrats set to administer Gaza has said the border crossing could open this week, though Israeli officials have yet to confirm a timeline.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the recovery an “unbelievable achievement for the State of Israel,” praising Gvili as a national hero. Images broadcast by Israeli media showed soldiers singing at the recovery site in Gaza and escorting a flag-draped casket. Gvili’s mother described her son as a hero in social media posts, echoing widespread public sentiment.
Gvili was among the 251 hostages taken to Gaza during the October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people in Israel. At the time of an October ceasefire deal, 48 hostages remained in Gaza, most believed dead. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the recovery demonstrated Hamas’ commitment to the agreement, adding that information provided by the group helped locate the body.
As Israel mourns, the recovery is seen as a moment of national healing and a potential turning point toward reconstruction, demilitarization, and the next phase of efforts to end the war, which has killed more than 71,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
