Israel Recovers Body of Last Hostage from Gaza: 'He is a Hero'

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery and identification of the body of police officer Ran Gvili from a cemetery in eastern Gaza. Gvili was the last hostage unaccounted for since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, during which hundreds were killed and 251 people were abducted. According to the IDF, the 24-year-old Gvili was killed while defending Kibbutz Alumim. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery of the body as an 'extraordinary achievement' for Israel, stating that 'we promised – and I personally – to bring them all back and we brought them all, even the last one.' He also emphasized that Gvili was 'a hero of Israel,' noting that he was among the first to enter and the last to leave the area. Gvili's remains have been transferred to Israel for burial. This recovery marks the closure of a tragic chapter for the families of the hostages and for Israel. The news comes amid intense efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages. The recovery of Gvili's body may influence negotiations and create new prospects for resolving the crisis.