Body of final Israeli hostage found in Gaza, says military

Israel has retrieved the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, the country’s military has said, as the region prepares to move into the second phase of a ceasefire agreed in October. The remains of 24-year-old police officer Ran Gvili were discovered yesterday and will now be returned for burial, an Israeli official told reporters.

- ALEX CROFT

Israel said it would reopen Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the main route for Palestinians to enter and leave the territory, once Gvili’s body had been returned. The development signals the end of the first phase of the US-brokered ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas, which has been scarred by accusations of breaches on both sides.

Gvili’s body had been held in Gaza since he was killed at Kibbutz Alumim during the attack by Hamas on southern Israel on 7 October 2023. On Sunday, the military launched a “large-scale operation” in Gaza to locate his body, after Washington and other mediators intensified pressure on Israel and Hamas to progress to the next phase of their ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum headquarters said Gvili was a “true friend, loved by everyone” who carried a “powerful yet calm presence”.