Israel retrieves remains of last Gaza Strip hostage
Israel has retrieved the remains of the last hostage held in the Gaza Strip, the military said, thus meeting a key condition of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in the region.
In the statement made by the army, it was stated that the remains of police officer Ran Gvili were identified and will be returned for burial.
Israel has said it will reopen the Gaza Strip’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the region’s main gateway to the world, once Gvili’s remains are returned or the operation to search for his body is concluded.
The late hostage SFC Ran Gvili has been identified and will be returned for burial. According to the information and intelligence we have, 24-year-old SFC Ran Gvili, who served in the Israel Police Special Forces, fell in combat on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body… https://t.co/K4vFVsF60r pic.twitter.com/TN2CWMpKEM— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 26, 2026
A government spokesman had no comment when asked when the border crossing would reopen.
The committee of Palestinian technocrats backed by the United States to govern Gaza said the border would be opened this week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it an “incredible success” for Israel and its soldiers, telling Israeli media, “I promised we would bring everyone home, and we brought everyone home.”
Gvili had been held in the Gaza Strip since he was killed at Kibbutz Alumim during the Hamas offensive into southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in October under pressure from regional powers and Trump, who called the agreement a first step towards a “strong, lasting and lasting peace.”
Gvili was one of 251 hostages captured by militants and taken to the Gaza Strip in the October 2023 attack.
At the time the agreement was signed, 48 hostages remained in the Gaza Strip; 28 of them were believed to be dead; among them was Gvili.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Kasim said in a statement that the discovery of Gvili’s remains confirms Hamas’ commitment to the US plan to end the war.
“We will continue to support all aspects of the agreement, including facilitating the work of the national Gaza administration and ensuring its success,” Qasim said, referring to the committee of technocrats. he said.
with AP
