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<\/a><\/p>\nThe remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage in Gaza, were recovered by the Israeli military on Monday. (Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz\/X)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The announcement by the Israeli military marks a significant milestone for the Israeli public, which transformed into a communal vigil for the hostages taken when Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, 2023. It also removes an obstacle to the second phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.<\/p>\n
Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer, was killed defending Kibbutz Alumim on Oct. 7. His remains were recovered from a cemetery in Gaza City during a major military operation, the IDF said. Hundreds of bodies were reportedly exhumed during the search and are being reburied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe return of Ran z\u201dl for burial is a painful moment of closing the circle\u2014with the return of the last hostage from the Gaza Strip territory to the soil of Israel,\u201d said Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz in a post on X. \u201cThis is a moment that underscores the State of Israel\u2019s commitment to its fighters and citizens: to bring every single one home\u2014as we promised the families and the public in Israel. This is mutual responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n
Four of the hostages released under the ceasefire deal had been held since before Oct. 7, meaning that Gvili\u2019s return marks the first time since 2014 that there will be no Israeli hostages in Gaza.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced that the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire had commenced despite opposition from Gvili\u2019s family who said his body should be returned first.<\/p>\n
Since then, the Trump administration has announced the formation of an international \u201cBoard of Peace\u201d to oversee the ceasefire and presented plans for the reconstruction of Gaza. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s office announced that it would reopen the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt after the search for Gvili\u2019s remains was completed.<\/p>\n
Gvili\u2019s mother, Talik, said the news of his return is \u201ca relief, after these two and a half years, even though we hoped for a different ending,\u201d according to the Times of Israel.<\/p>\n
The discovery of Gvili\u2019s remains was also celebrated by Israeli soldiers at the cemetery where he was found. Video of the soldiers posted on X showed many embracing and singing \u201cAni Ma\u2019amin,\u201d a Hebrew song meaning \u201cI Believe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some Jews and Jewish institutions removed their hostage necklaces and dismantled their displays in support of the hostages after all of the remaining living hostages were released in October. Others posted social media videos of themselves doing so on Monday following the news of Gvili\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the media in the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu said, \u201cWe promised, and I promised, to bring everyone back, and we brought everyone back,\u201d adding, \u201cRani is a hero of Israel. He went in first, he came out last. He came back.\u201d<\/p>\n