Israel Recovers Last Hostage’s Body, Ceasefire Advances/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel has recovered the remains of its final hostage, Ran Gvili, from Gaza. The move clears the path for the second phase of the ceasefire with Hamas. Focus now shifts to Rafah crossing, governance in Gaza, and disarmament.
Gaza Ceasefire Progress Quick Looks
- Israel confirms recovery of Ran Gvili’s remains, the final hostage.
- The operation took place in a cemetery in northern Gaza.
- Gvili was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attack.
- His recovery fulfills the first phase of the truce deal.
- Hamas now agrees to all conditions of the initial ceasefire.
- Phase two will address Hamas disarmament and Gaza’s future governance.
- Rafah crossing with Egypt is expected to reopen soon.
- Palestinians urge action to allow medical evacuations and more aid.
- Over 71,400 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, per Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- Israel’s Supreme Court reviews petition to allow foreign journalists into Gaza.
Deep Look: Israel Recovers Last Hostage’s Body, Ceasefire Advances
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military confirmed Monday that it has recovered the remains of police officer Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, paving the way for the next stage in a complex U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Hamas.
Gvili, affectionately known as “Rani,” was among the first Israelis taken into Gaza during the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault that triggered the war. He was killed during the attack and his remains had remained in Gaza ever since.
His recovery, following a large-scale operation in a cemetery in northern Gaza, fulfills the final requirement of the first phase of the truce agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the mission as “an incredible achievement,” saying it fulfilled his promise to bring every hostage — living or dead — home.
Hamas, in response, stated that it has now fulfilled all terms of the initial ceasefire phase.
The second stage of the truce is expected to address more complex and politically sensitive issues, such as dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities and establishing a new governance structure in Gaza. These discussions will involve continued mediation by international stakeholders, including the United States.
Netanyahu’s office also announced plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt — a crucial passage for civilians and humanitarian aid that has remained largely closed since May 2024, aside from a brief reopening in early 2025.
Palestinian Response & Hopes for Relief
On the ground in Gaza, the recovery of Gvili’s remains sparked cautious optimism. Many Palestinians expressed hope that the reopening of Rafah would allow for much-needed movement and medical evacuations.
“We hope this will close off Israel’s pretexts and open the crossing,” said Abdel-Rahman Radwan, a Gaza City resident whose mother requires cancer treatment abroad.
Others, like Ahmed Ruqab, a displaced father living in a tent at the Nuseirat refugee camp, urged international mediators — especially the U.S. — to pressure Israel to allow more aid and rebuild infrastructure.
“We need to turn this page and restart,” he said.
Despite the ceasefire, sporadic violence continues. On Monday, Israeli forces shot and killed a man in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighborhood near the cemetery where the search for Gvili took place. Another man was also killed in the Bureij refugee camp under unclear circumstances.
A Costly Conflict
The war, now entering its third year, has devastated Gaza. More than 71,400 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Since the ceasefire began in October 2025, over 480 Palestinians have died due to Israeli fire.
While the figures are released by the Hamas-run ministry, they are generally regarded as credible by U.N. bodies and independent observers. The ongoing conflict and limited aid access have made even basic survival difficult for much of the population.
Since the truce began, 20 hostages have been returned alive, and the remains of 27 others recovered — many in exchange for Israel returning hundreds of deceased Palestinians to Gaza.
Press Access in Question
In a separate development, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to lift restrictions on independent journalist access to Gaza. Reporters have been barred from entering Gaza on their own since the 2023 Hamas attacks, with Israel citing safety risks to both journalists and military personnel.
Currently, the only access permitted is via short, military-escorted visits — a policy the FPA says undermines media freedom.
FPA attorneys argued Monday that if humanitarian workers are permitted entry, then journalists should be too, especially given the global significance of the conflict. A panel of three judges is expected to rule soon.
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