BREAKING: Body of Ran Gvili, the Final Oct. 7 Hostage, Returned to Israel
After 843 days, the circle has finally closed. The IDF has recovered the body of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the final hostage held in Gaza since October 7. Following a high-stakes operation in a Shuja'iyya cemetery, the "Hero of Alumim" has finally returned to Israel for a state burial.
In a somber conclusion to a nearly two-year national ordeal, the IDF announced on Monday that the body of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage from the October 7, 2023, massacre, has been recovered and returned to Israel for burial.
Following a complex identification process at the National Center of Forensic Medicine (Abu Kabir), in collaboration with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, Gvili’s family was officially notified that his remains had been positively identified.
Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old officer in the Negev Yasam (Police Special Patrol Unit), became a symbol of extraordinary courage. On the morning of October 7, despite recovering from a broken shoulder sustained in a motorcycle accident, Gvili donned his uniform and rushed to the front lines, telling his father, "I won't let my friends fight alone."
He is credited with saving dozens of lives near Kibbutz Alumim and the Nova music festival, reportedly neutralizing 14 terrorists before being severely wounded and abducted. In January 2024, an expert panel ruled that Gvili had died of his wounds shortly after being taken into Gaza.
The recovery was the result of a massive, multi-day military effort codenamed "Operation Brave Heart." Acting on precise intelligence and a rare confirmation from Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida regarding the location, IDF forces, including the Alexandroni Brigade and specialized engineering units, spent the weekend scouring a Muslim cemetery in the Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City.
The operation involved the delicate examination of hundreds of graves to locate Gvili, who was reportedly buried by his captors in a manner intended to hide his identity.
Ran Gvili's body was the 250th body which was examined. After it was identified, he was wrapped in an Israeli flag.
IDF soldiers, who participated in the operation, sang 'Ani Ma'amin' after he was located.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated:
“I am pleased to bring good news to the citizens of Israel, to the people of Israel.
As I have just informed the Gvili family, our forces have located Rani. He is now on his way home.
This is an extraordinary achievement for the State of Israel. We promised and I personally promised, to bring everyone back. We have brought everyone back, every last one of them.
Rani, a hero of Israel, went in first and came out last. He is returning home.
This is a tremendous achievement for the Israel Defense Forces, for the State of Israel, and for the citizens of Israel, who gave us the backing to complete the mission.
Rani is coming home.”
Police Commissioner RND Dan Levi spoke personally with the fallen officer's father, Itzik Gvili, to update him on the details and extend a "warm embrace" on behalf of the entire force.
"The Commissioner emphasized the determination and heroism of Ran, a warrior who shielded the citizens of Israel with his own body, sacrificing his life in the line of duty," the police statement read.
To honor his service, the Israel Police led a Solemn Convoy of Honor accompanying the casket to the Forensic Center at Abu Kabir. The police force concluded its message by saluting the family and the memory of "Ran the Hero."
The Hostages, Missing, and Repatriated Directorate within the Prime Minister's Office stated:
"The Directorate bows its head and shares in the profound grief of the Gvili family," the office stated. "Ran fell in battle and was abducted to Gaza on the terrible morning of October 7. He is now being returned for burial in Israel."
The Prime Minister’s Office emphasized the monumental significance of this recovery, stating: "With this, the circle is closed. All 255 hostages have been returned from Gaza to Israel."
With Gvili’s return, the list of hostages taken on October 7 and held within the Gaza Strip has been officially cleared. His homecoming marks the end of a relentless diplomatic and military campaign by the Israeli government and the Gvili family, who had insisted that no ceasefire "Phase Two" proceed until the final fallen hero was returned to his homeland.