The return of the last hostage’s remains brings the years-long saga over the fate of the captives, both Israeli and foreign, to a close.
By Abbie Cheeseman, Lior Sorokag
Israel confirmed Monday that the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, Israeli police officer Rani Gvili, 24, have been returned, marking an end to a particularly dark and painful chapter for Israelis that began when Hamas and allied militants attacked on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting some 250 others.
In a statement, the Israeli military said the remains of his body had been formally identified and that his family had been notified. . Gvili was killed when he rushed to the border area to help victims of the Hamas attacks, according to an account his sister gave to the forum representing hostage families. He was on sick leave at the time for a dislocated shoulder and, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, died while fighting Palestinian militants in Kibbutz Alumim. The gunmen then took his body back to Gaza.
“Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, has been brought home. First to enter. Last to return,” the Hostages and Families Forum said in a statement. “Ran, with his broad shoulders and radiant smile, was all heart. A true friend, loved by everyone,” it read.
Under pressure to move ahead with the second phase of the ceasefire deal, the Israeli military had been carrying out a “focused” last-ditch operation in northern Gaza over the weekend in a bid to find Gvili’s remains — which appeared on Monday to largely take place in a cemetery east of Gaza City.
