Israel Recovers Final Hostage’s Remains in Gaza, Clearing Way for Ceasefire Progress
Israel’s military announced on Monday that the remains of the last hostage in Gaza have been recovered, marking a significant development in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The recovery of Ran Gvili’s remains paves the way for the next phase of the ceasefire agreement that halted the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The discovery and identification of Gvili’s remains followed a large-scale operation conducted by Israel’s military in a cemetery in northern Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the recovery as an “incredible achievement” for Israel, emphasizing his commitment to bringing all hostages home.
Gvili, who was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, was among the first hostages taken into Gaza. His family had urged the Israeli government to prioritize the recovery of his remains before moving into the next phase of the ceasefire.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel has also announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a crucial lifeline for Palestinians. The crossing had been largely closed since May 2024, with limited operations in early 2025.
The ceasefire mediators, including the United States, have been pressuring Israel and Hamas to proceed to the second phase of the US-brokered truce, which came into effect on October 10. Israel had accused Hamas of delaying the recovery efforts, while Hamas claimed to have provided all available information on Gvili’s remains.
The large-scale operation to locate Gvili’s remains took place in the area of the Yellow Line that divides the territory. The attack on October 7, 2023, resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages, including Gvili.
Prior to the recovery of Gvili’s remains, 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others had been returned to Israel since the ceasefire. In exchange, Israel has released the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza.
Next Steps in the Ceasefire Plan
The next phase of the ceasefire plan includes the establishment of an international stabilisation force, the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Escalation of Violence in Gaza
On Monday, Israeli forces fatally shot a man in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood, near the area where the search operation for Gvili was taking place. Another man was killed in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza under unclear circumstances.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 480 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October 10. The ministry, affiliated with the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are considered reliable by UN agencies and independent experts.
Media Access to Gaza
The Foreign Press Association has petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to allow journalists to enter Gaza independently. Journalists have been restricted from entering Gaza freely since the 2023 attacks by Hamas, with the army offering controlled visits under military supervision.
The FPA argued that journalists should have the same access as aid workers and that military-controlled visits are not a substitute for independent reporting. The court is expected to rule on the matter soon.
