The return of the final hostage’s remains ushers in the second phase of the delicate ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
On Monday, the Israeli government announced that the remains of the final hostage held in Gaza have been identified.
The recovery of the final hostage ushers in the second phase of the delicate ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, ending over two years of families waiting for the return of their loved ones being held hostage by the violent terrorist group in Gaza.
Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer killed during the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, was the final hostage to be recovered from Gaza.
On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that Gvili’s family had been informed “that their loved one has been identified and will be returned for burial.”
“With this, all hostages from the Gaza Strip have been returned,” said the Israel Defense Forces in the statement.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said an “entire people prayed and waited for this moment – and now the circle is closed.”
The return of all hostages being held in Gaza was a key part of the fragile ceasefire deal brokered by President Trump.
President Trump celebrated the recovery of the final hostage in a post on social media. “Just recovered the last Hostage body in GAZA. Thus, got back ALL 20 of the living Hostages, and ALL of the Dead! AMAZING JOB! Most thought of it as an impossible thing to do. Congratulations to my great team of Champions!!!”
The next phase of the ceasefire agreement will include the partial reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, as well as a transitional government to oversee reconstruction in the enclave, are also part of the ceasefire deal that took months to reach.
The second phase of the ceasefire agreement will require the disarmament of the terrorist organization Hamas.
