Israel’s military announced on Monday that the remains of the final hostage in Gaza have been recovered, meeting a crucial requirement of U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to resolve the conflict in the region. The identified remains of police officer Ran Gvili, held captive in Gaza for over 840 days, will be repatriated for burial. This development is expected to lead to a partial reopening of the Rafah Crossing, the primary link between Gaza and Egypt, in accordance with Israeli commitments.
The committee overseeing Gaza, supported by the U.S., has indicated that the border crossing will open this week, although no specific date has been confirmed by government officials. Gvili had been held in Gaza since his death during a Hamas-led attack on southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which sparked a two-year Israeli offensive.
The discovery of Gvili’s remains was hailed as a significant milestone by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described it as a remarkable achievement for the nation. Gvili, who was off-duty recovering from an injury, was killed while defending against the militants during the attack.
As part of the ceasefire agreement reached in October 2025 between Israel and Hamas, it was stipulated that all remaining hostages, including Gvili, be handed over. This was a fundamental aspect of the initial phase of the agreement, although other components remain unfulfilled, leading to uncertainties about the future course of action.
The return of Gvili’s body has been eagerly awaited in Israel as a moment of national reconciliation following the tragic events of the past. The attack by Hamas in 2023, which resulted in significant casualties, has been regarded as one of the most traumatic incidents in the country’s history.
Moving forward, the next phase of the peace deal is expected to focus on the reconstruction of Gaza and the demilitarization of the region, as outlined in the U.S.-led plan. Hamas has affirmed its commitment to the agreement, emphasizing its support for the national Gaza administration overseen by the committee of technocrats.
Hamas acknowledged that their provided information assisted in locating Gvili’s body. Despite initial delays in opening the Gaza-Egypt border, Israeli objections were based on the condition that Hamas return the remains of the final hostage before any border operations commenced.
Reports suggest that Israel aims to control the flow of Palestinians entering Gaza through the border crossing, ensuring a lower number of entries compared to exits and implementing thorough security screenings at an adjacent Israeli military checkpoint.
The recovery of Gvili’s remains marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to bring closure and stability to the region, paving the way for further progress in resolving the conflict.