IDF Recovers Remains of Final Hostage Ran Gvili After Covert Operations in Northern Gaza

Master Sgt. Ran Gvili (24) joined the Israel Police Special Patrol Unit as a volunteer. At the time of the devastating Hamas attack on October 7th, Gvili was off duty recovering from a broken shoulder. But Ran Gvili courageously ran to the front lines to fight Hamas after they infiltrated Israel. After evacuating survivors of the Nova massacre to safety, Gvili returned to the front lines against Hamas. Tragically, Hamas murdered him during the ensuing battle and brought him back to Gaza as a bargaining chip.

Finally this hero returns to Israel after 844 days of Hamas captivity. Gvili has already had dignified funeral in Israel so his family could remember and grieve. May his memory be a blessing. For the first tie since 2014, there are no hostages in Gaza. Thanks too President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, the hostage nightmare for Israel is over. Congratulations for PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump.

This, as they prepare to enter phase two of the Trump plan.

On this deeply emotional day, there are two additional things that can now be said. First, the working assumption among professional officials was that “there would be many Ron Arads”, hostages whose fate would never be known. In Israel, it was believed that at least in some cases Hamas would not know where those hostages were buried. The intelligence in Israel’s possession was also insufficient. And yet, beyond all expectations, everyone is here. To the very last one. The living and the dead. Although everyone longed for this ending, only a few believed it was truly possible. This knowledge alone proves just how moving this moment is (Arial Kahana of  Israel Hayom).

Times of Israel: For the first time since 2014, no hostages are held in the Gaza Strip…. The entire people of Israel are moved to tears,” President Isaac Herzog said 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. May Ran’s memory be a blessing” (Times of Israel).

Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 10:58 AM EST 01.26.26 pic.twitter.com/lKC0jW2oU1

— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 26, 2026

After 843 days in captivity in Gaza, our final hostage, Ran Gvili, has been brought home to Israel to be laid to rest.

Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged that every hostage would be returned home.
That promise was kept.

Promise made
Promise fulfilled pic.twitter.com/qffz8quJou

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 26, 2026

WOW. The moment Ran Gvili’s body was identified, Israeli soldiers broke into song:

“I believe in the coming of the Messiah!” pic.twitter.com/cD5ToZUBbR

— Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) January 26, 2026

The deceased hostage SFC Ran Gvili has been identified and will be returned for burial.

According to the information and intelligence available to us, SFC Ran Gvili, 24, who served in the Israeli Police Special Forces, fell in combat on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, and his body… https://t.co/K4vFVsF60r pic.twitter.com/TN2CWMpKEM

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 26, 2026

Thank you, President Trump and @SecRubio, for your tireless work to bring the hostages back home.

Humanity triumphs over the barbarity. @POTUS is PEACE PRESIDENT. https://t.co/WM8w7NbMw7

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) January 26, 2026

IDF recovers body of Ran Gvili, last hostage in Gaza

The military rushed to find Gvili’s remains as the clock ticked down for Israel to reopen the Rafah Border Crossing.

By Jerusalem Post, Jan 27th, 2026

Jan 26th, 2025

The IDF found the remains of the last Israeli hostage from the October 7 invasion, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, on Monday at around 2:00 p.m. at al-Batesh cemetery in the Shejaia-Daraj-Tuffah part of northern Gaza. His funeral will be held on Wednesday in his hometown of Meitar.