Israeli military says remains of last Gaza hostage Ran Gvili recovered: What it means for ceasefire with Hamas

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday claimed that there were "officially no more hostages in captivity in Gaza", which is expected to have a major impact on progress towards the next phase of the ceasefire that paused the war.

This comes after the IDF identified and received the remains of 24-year-old Ran Gvili, a member of the Israeli Police Special Forces. It added that he had allegedly been killed during combat that had taken place on October 7, 2023—the day that the recent war between Israel and Hamas began—after which he had been abducted.

This comes a day after Tel Aviv said the IDF had been conducting a large-scale operation at a cemetary in northern Gaza to unearth his remains. 

The return of all hostages that had been in captivity in Gaza—dead or alive—had been a key part of the first phase of the Gaza truce. Notably, Gvili's family had also urged Tel Aviv not to begin phase two of the ceasefire with Hamas until he was found. He had allegedly been missing for more than 800 days.

With the Israeli youth's body recovered, the route is clear for the next phase of the ceasefire with Gaza, although it is paved with uncertainties, such as the question of whether Hamas will disarm.

Both Israel and Hamas have been under pressure from the mediators of the peace deal, especially the Donald Trump administration, which had played a major part in brokering the October 10 truce. 

In fact, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday even met with Trump's son-in-law and advisor, Jared Kushner, and his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, in connection with the peace deal, as per an Associated Press report, citing an official in the know. The US, which is anxious about going forward with phase two of the Gaza truce, had also been closely following the progress of search efforts for the Israeli youth.

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The recovery of Gvili's body has also put the spotlight on the limited opening of the Rafah crossing for pedestrians between Gaza and Egypt under Israeli surveillance, which is a part of the peace deal. Notably, the deal had originally advocated for a fuller reopening of the passage and much fewer restrictions, but Tel Aviv had insisted on the limitations due to pressure from its far-right.

Hamas, however, claims it has done its part in helping Israel locate Gili's body, and has urged Israel to comply with the truce terms as well.