Israel has recovered the remains of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, the military said on Monday, fulfilling a key condition of the initial phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in the Palestinian territory.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the recovery in a post on his Truth Social platform, calling it an “amazing job” and saying all living and deceased hostages had now been returned.
“Just recovered the last hostage body in Gaza. Thus, got back all 20 of the living hostages, and all of the dead,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “Most thought of it as an impossible thing to do.”
“With this, all hostages have been returned from the Gaza Strip,” the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said, adding that Gvili’s body would be brought back to Israel for burial.
Gvili, a 24-year-old Israeli police officer, had been held in Gaza for more than 840 days. He was killed while fighting Hamas militants during the 7 October attack, despite being off duty and recovering from an injury at the time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery as “an unbelievable achievement for the State of Israel,” adding, “Rani is a hero of Israel, who went in first and emerged last.”
The recovery of Gvili’s remains removes a key obstacle to reopening the Rafah Crossing, Gaza’s main gateway to the outside world. Israeli officials had previously insisted the crossing would remain closed until the final hostage was returned.
Netanyahu’s office later confirmed that Israel would reopen Rafah, which has been largely closed since May 2024.
A U.S.-backed Palestinian committee of technocrats expected to administer Gaza said the crossing is likely to open this week, though Israeli officials did not provide a specific timeline.
Next phase of deal
Gvili was among 251 hostages seized during the October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people and triggered a two-year Israeli offensive in Gaza. At the time a ceasefire was agreed in October, 48 hostages remained in Gaza, 28 of them believed dead.
The return of all remaining hostages, both living and deceased, was a core commitment of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, though other elements have yet to be implemented.
The next phase of the 20-point ceasefire plan is expected to include the establishment of an international stabilisation force, the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government, and the disarmament of Hamas.
In a statement, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the discovery of Gvili’s remains confirmed the group’s commitment to the agreement.
“We will continue to uphold all aspects of the agreement, including facilitating the work of the national Gaza administration and ensuring its success,” Qassem said.
Israel had repeatedly accused Hamas of delaying the recovery of the final hostage, while Hamas maintained that it had provided all available information and accused Israel of obstructing searches in areas under its control. The IDF said the search took place in the area near the “Yellow Line” that divides Gaza.
Since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October, 2025, Israel has received 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others. In exchange, it has returned the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza.
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) has arrested three Azerbaijani citizens on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack against a foreign coun...
Israel has recovered the remains of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, the military said on Monday, fulfilling a key condition of the initial ph...
A senior Trump administration official confirmed reports that Gregory Bovino, a top U.S. Border Patrol official, will leave Minnesota along with some ...
Finland’s Border Guard says it plans to establish a maritime surveillance centre to help prevent damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the G...
The United States will send its largest-ever Winter Olympic team to the Milano Cortina Games, with 232 athletes selected to compete, the U.S. Olympic ...
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) has arrested three Azerbaijani citizens on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack against a foreign country’s embassy in Baku, authorities said.
A senior Trump administration official confirmed reports that Gregory Bovino, a top U.S. Border Patrol official, will leave Minnesota along with some agents deployed to the state.
Finland’s Border Guard says it plans to establish a maritime surveillance centre to help prevent damage to critical undersea infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland, amid heightened concerns over cable and pipeline security in the Baltic Sea.
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has climbed to 6,126, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
The UN Human Rights Council has condemned Iran for rights abuses and ordered an expanded investigation into a crackdown on anti-government protests that killed thousands, as Tehran warned any military attack would be treated as an all-out war.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state’s National Guard following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, an incident that has triggered protests and intensified tensions between state and federal authorities.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday the country should not fear pursuing energy ties with the United States, as Caracas seeks to expand oil and gas production and attract foreign investment.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in response to soaring inflation and a national currency crisis.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 25 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service (SSS) has arrested three Azerbaijani citizens on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack against a foreign country’s embassy in Baku, authorities said.
The death toll from nationwide protests in Iran has climbed to 6,126, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
“What we've seen in the last few years is an expansion of all relations between Azerbaijan and Israel,” said Maurice Hirsch, from the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs. His remarks came as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Baku, Azerbaijan on 26 January.
Russia says it sees no preconditions for resuming political dialogue with Georgia. However, it has simultaneously praised the Georgian government, expanded economic ties, and openly questioned Georgia’s Western-looking aspirations.
The United Nations has renewed calls for the immediate lifting of restrictions on Afghan women’s access to education, work and public life, after a three-day visit to Kabul by its senior political affairs official.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment