Remains of last Israeli hostage found in Gaza, paving way for next phase of ceasefire
The remains of the last hostage held in Gaza have been identified, the Israeli military announced Monday, ending a more than two-year saga for the captives’ families in Israel – and paving the way for the second phase of the ceasefire in the war-torn enclave.
For months, only one hostage body remained in Gaza, that of Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer killed during the attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli military said in a statement Monday that Gvili’s family had been informed “that their relative had been identified and would be sent back for burial.”
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the development confirmed its commitment to the demands of the ceasefire agreement.
On Sunday, Israeli officials announced they had launched a “large-scale operation” to find Gvili’s body, amid growing pressure to move to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
“Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, has been brought home,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the families of Israeli hostages, said Monday.
“First to enter. Last to return,” he said, noting that Israeli authorities concluded that Gvili was killed in action during the October 7 attack before his remains were taken to Gaza.
The development marks the completion of a key pillar of the truce brokered in part by President Donald Trump, after months of growing tensions over delays and alleged violations.
“I just recovered the last body of a hostage in GAZA. So, we recovered ALL 20 living hostages and ALL the dead! INCREDIBLE JOB!” Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. “Most thought it was an impossible thing to do. Congratulations to my amazing team of champions!!!”
Under the ceasefire, the next step will include the partial reopening of the main Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Israel said.
The second stage of the truce, which Trump announced would begin this month, would also require the disarmament of Hamas, a key sticking point in the negotiations, and the composition of Trump’s international force to oversee security in Gaza.
As part of the first phase of the truce, which came into force on October 10, Hamas agreed to release all living and dead hostages in Gaza. In exchange, Israel released many Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Gaza, including leftovers.
Completion of the first phase was delayed, however, as Hamas said it had difficulty locating all the remains under the rubble of the buildings.
Many of the 251 total hostages Detainees in Gaza had been released under previous ceasefire agreements throughout the conflict, while several, including Noa Argamani, were rescued during operations carried out by Israeli forces.
Hostages have also been killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza, with soldiers accidentally shooting and killing three Israeli hostages in an incident in December 2023.
The fragile truce came under strain as Israeli forces launched deadly strikes after accusing Hamas of attacking Israeli forces and violating the ceasefire.
The militant group denied the accusations and claimed that Israel had himself violated truce by killing Palestinians in Gaza, leaving more than 480 dead in the enclave since the start of the ceasefire, according to Gaza health officials. Israel also still controls about half the territory.
Attention will now turn to the next phases of the plan, which should ultimately end the conflict in the enclave.
Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner recently revealed plans for a “New Gaza” marked by towering skyscrapers and tourist-filled beaches – a far cry from the current reality of a territory reduced to ruins by the US ally’s more than two-year offensive.
Trump pushed ahead with his plan for a “Peace Council,” which he first presented as a body to oversee peace efforts in the Gaza Strip before expanding its remit. Key U.S. allies withdrew over concerns over the charter, which makes no mention of Gaza and is seen by some as an attack on the United Nations.
