The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have recovered and identified the remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the final hostage from the October 2023 Hamas-led attack, Israel’s military announced on Monday, 26 January. The recovery clears the way for the next stage of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
Gvili, a 24-year-old Israeli police officer, was killed defending Kibbutz Alumim during the invasion that left approximately 1,200 people dead and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel had conducted a large-scale search at a cemetery in northern Gaza to locate his remains.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery as “an incredible achievement” for Israel and its soldiers.
Speaking to Israeli media, he said, “I promised we would bring everyone home and we have brought everyone home.”
The prime minister emphasised that Gvili had been among the first hostages, living or deceased, taken into Gaza.
The return of all remaining hostages had been a key component of the first phase of the ceasefire. Gvili’s family had publicly urged the Israeli government not to move to the second phase until his remains were recovered.
Following the announcement, Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel would reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a vital humanitarian lifeline for Palestinians, which has been largely closed since May 2024.
The next phase of the 20-point ceasefire plan includes establishing an international stabilisation force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government, and disarming Hamas. Israel and Hamas had faced pressure from mediators, including the United States, to move forward with this phase.
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.
Israel had received 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October 2025. In exchange, it has returned the bodies of hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza.
French MPs on Monday are set to vote on a new law that would block access to social media for children under the age of 15 and ban mobile phones in hi...
Tech mogul Elon Musk's social media platform X is under scrutiny by the European Union over its AI tool Grok. Concerned officials state the technology...
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have recovered and identified the remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the final hostage from the October 2023 Hamas-led ...
The head of Hezbollah has issued a statement calling for mobilisation in support of Iran, using religious language and references to armed struggle th...
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in respons...
French MPs on Monday are set to vote on a new law that would block access to social media for children under the age of 15 and ban mobile phones in high schools, as part of efforts to better protect young people’s health.
Tech mogul Elon Musk's social media platform X is under scrutiny by the European Union over its AI tool Grok. Concerned officials state the technology may have been used to generate sexualised images of real people in the European Union.
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.
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 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.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on 23 January there are signs Israel is still seeking an opportunity to attack Iran, warning that such a move could further destabilise the Middle East.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Albania’s capital Tirana on Saturday in an anti-government protest sparked by the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku over alleged corruption linked to major infrastructure projects.
U.S. electricity grid operators ramped up preventive measures on Saturday to head off rotating power cuts as a severe cold snap affecting around half the country put heavy strain on their systems.
French MPs on Monday are set to vote on a new law that would block access to social media for children under the age of 15 and ban mobile phones in high schools, as part of efforts to better protect young people’s health.
Tech mogul Elon Musk's social media platform X is under scrutiny by the European Union over its AI tool Grok. Concerned officials state the technology may have been used to generate sexualised images of real people in the European Union.
The Kremlin said on Monday that the issue of territory remained fundamental to Russia when seeking a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine, TASS reported after the weekend talks in Abu Dhabi.
Germany’s Federal Chancellery has addressed allegations that the current Chancellor Friedrich Merz filed hundreds of criminal complaints for defamatory remarks and insults against him in the years before he took office.
The death toll from a ferry boat accident in the Southern Philippines has reached at least 15, with 316 people rescued, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment