The remains of Israeli police sergeant Ran Gvili, who was killed during the Hamas-led incursion into Israel on 7 October 2023, have been returned from Gaza, according to military statements. His body had been taken to the territory by militants, making him the last of 251 people captured that day still held there.
Completion of Initial Ceasefire Demand
With this handover, the Israeli military confirmed that all hostages from the 7 October attack have now been returned to Israel, either alive or deceased. This development fulfills a crucial initial requirement of the ceasefire plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump, potentially facilitating progress into its second phase, which the US recently indicated has commenced.
Impact on Rafah Crossing and Humanitarian Aid
Israel had previously stated that the vital Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would reopen upon the return of Gvili's body. The crossing has been closed since Israeli forces assumed control in May 2024. However, reports from Israeli media suggest it will only permit pedestrian traffic, meaning it will not alleviate the severe shortages of food, shelter aid, medicine, and other essential humanitarian supplies in Gaza. Israel will maintain full authority over all entries and exits.
End of a Prolonged Campaign
The return marks the conclusion of an extensive public campaign aimed at repatriating both living and deceased Israelis, including some who had been captured prior to 2023. Israeli President Isaac Herzog remarked in a statement, "After many difficult years, for the first time since 2014, there are no Israeli citizens held hostage in Gaza. An entire nation prayed and waited for this moment."
Shifting Focus and Political Accusations
Many activists are now redirecting their efforts, calling for an independent inquiry into the 7 October attack and the subsequent war. Protesters, along with some returned hostages and their families, have levelled accusations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging he sabotaged ceasefire agreements that could have secured earlier releases and prolonged the conflict to safeguard his political standing.
Of the 166 individuals who returned alive from Gaza, the majority were freed through ceasefire negotiations, with only eight rescued via Israeli military operations. Among the deceased, causes of death varied: some were killed before reaching Gaza, others by their captors or Israeli forces, and some perished from uncertain circumstances while in captivity.
Discovery of Gvili's Body
The Israeli military reported that Gvili's body was located in a cemetery in northern Gaza, within an Israeli-controlled area behind the designated "yellow line." According to Haaretz, Police Commissioner Danny Levy informed Gvili's family that he was found intact and in uniform, stating, "Ran was found intact with a police uniform. You are receiving your child as he left."
This return not only closes a chapter for Gvili's family but also underscores the complex humanitarian and political dynamics surrounding the Gaza conflict, as efforts continue to address broader ceasefire and aid issues.
