‘We Brought Them All Back’: Israel Recovers Remains Of Last Oct. 7 Hostage

Israel confirmed Monday it has recovered the remains of the final Israeli hostage held in Gaza, ending a more than two-year ordeal and clearing a major obstacle in the ongoing ceasefire with Hamas.

The recovery followed a large-scale Israeli military operation at a cemetery in northern Gaza, where troops were searching for the body of Ran Gvili. The 24-year-old served in Israel’s Police Special Forces and was killed in combat during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. His body was abducted to Gaza during the assault, according to a statement from Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire in October under a 20-point peace framework brokered by President Donald Trump, who described the deal as a first step toward a “strong, durable and everlasting peace.” The agreement’s initial phase required the return of all hostages, living or deceased.

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks killed over 1,200 people, including Americans, and saw roughly 250 hostages dragged into Gaza. Prior to Gvili’s recovery, Hamas had returned the remains of all but one of those hostages.