Israel recovers remains of last Oct. 7 hostage

Israel’s military recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza Monday. The remains of Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer, will soon be returned to his family for burial, Israel’s military said on social media. He was killed more than two years ago during the Hamas-led terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023. For months, Gvili’s was the only hostage body that remained in Gaza. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem also confirmed in a widely disseminated statement that the last of the hostages had been found.

This recovery paves the way for the second phase of Gaza’s and Israel’s ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the United States. Additionally, the development follows after the partial reopening of Gaza’s key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, Israel said Sunday.

How did Israel locate his remains? Over the weekend, Israel’s military conducted an operation searching for Gvili in northern Gaza along the region’s demarcation line. The large-scale operation then honed in on a cemetery, Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Sunday.

How has Gvili been remembered? Gvili was a true friend and loved by everyone, according to a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. He was a man of deep values who carried a powerful yet calm presence, the organization said. He fought back against the Oct. 7 attack, even though he was still recovering from a fractured shoulder. He is survived by his parents, two siblings, and extended family, the organization noted.

Additionally, Netanyahu proposed Sunday that Israel should name one of the new towns being developed in the Negev desert after Gvili, whom he characterized as Israel’s hero.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Black’s report on world leaders signing a charter for the Gaza Board of Peace.