Israel’s military says it has recovered the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, a development that officials described as key to moving into the next phase of the ceasefire that halted the Israel-Hamas conflict. The announcement centers on the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, whom Israeli authorities identified after the recovery.
The identification was made public a day after the Israeli government said the military was operating in a northern Gaza cemetery while searching for him. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the recovery an “incredible achievement” and said Israel had fulfilled a promise to bring everyone home.
Remains identified as Ran Gvili
Politico reported that Ran Gvili was a 24-year-old police officer who was known by the nickname “Rani.” The same report said he was killed during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, and was among the first people captured and taken into Gaza.
Israel’s military said the operation to locate Gvili’s remains took place “in the area of the Yellow Line” that separates the territories. In its account of the October 2023 assault, Politico reported that the attack killed about 1,200 people and that 251 hostages were taken.
Why the recovery matters for ceasefire talks
The return of remaining hostages—both living and dead—has been a central element of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, according to Politico. The report said Gvili’s family had urged Israel not to move into the second phase until his remains were recovered and brought back.
Politico said Hamas has stated it will stick to all terms of the ceasefire’s first phase. The next phase is described in the report as more complicated, with issues that include shaping a new governance framework for Gaza and disarming Hamas, which Politico said has controlled the territory for nearly 20 years.
Politico also reported that, before this recovery, 20 hostages and the remains of others had returned since the ceasefire took effect, with the most recent transfers taking place in early December. In exchange, the report said Israel returned the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza.
Rafah crossing and Gaza residents’ hopes
Politico reported that Netanyahu’s office said Israel would reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt after the search for Gvili concluded. The same report described Rafah as a crucial route that allows Palestinians to connect with the outside world.
According to Politico, the crossing has largely been closed since May 2024, with only brief openings in early 2025. The report said some Gaza residents expressed hope that the recovery would help lead to Rafah reopening, enabling travel and medical evacuations.
Politico quoted Abdel-Rahman Radwan, a Gaza City resident, as saying he hoped the development would remove Israel’s “justifications” and lead to the crossing reopening, while also saying his mother has cancer and needs treatment outside Gaza. Politico also reported that Ahmed Ruqab, a father living with his family in a tent at Nuseat refugee, called on mediators and the United States to pressure Israel to allow more aid and caravans into Gaza, saying, “We need to turn this page and restart.”
Disputes and pressure to enter phase two
Politico said Israel and Hamas have faced pressure from ceasefire mediators, including the United States, to move into the second phase of the truce, which the report said began on October 10. The report also said Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of delaying the recovery of the last hostage.
In Politico’s account, Hamas has said it provided all the information it had about Gvili’s remains and accused Israel of blocking searches in parts of Gaza under Israeli military control. With the military now saying the last hostage remains have been recovered, Politico framed the moment as removing a key obstacle for the next phase, which it said includes efforts tied to rebuilding Gaza and disarming Hamas.
