Who is Ran Gvili? Israel brings home its final hostage from Gaza after nearly 843 days

The deceased has been identified as Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old Israeli police officer who served in the Israeli Police Special Forces. Gvili was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, and his body was subsequently taken to Gaza. He was the last slain hostage whose remains had not been recovered.

“The deceased hostage SFC Ran Gvili has been identified and will be returned for burial,” the IDF said in a post on X, sharing details about the operation and the fallen officer.

According to the military, “Based on the information and intelligence available to us, SFC Ran Gvili fell in combat on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.”

The IDF expressed condolences to Gvili’s family, saying it would continue to support bereaved families and returned hostages, while acting “to strengthen the security of the citizens of Israel.”

Commenting on the recovery, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: “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!!! President DJT.”

The recovery brings to an end Israel’s hostage crisis, which lasted 843 days.

Hamas had abducted 251 people during the October 7, 2023 attack, in which around 1,200 people were killed. Most hostages were released alive over the following two years through negotiated exchanges involving 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, according to the BBC.

Israel launched a large-scale military campaign in Gaza in response to the attack.