January 27, 2026
The body of the last abductee, Ran Gvili, has returned to Israel
צילום: מטה משפחות החטופים
The IDF found the body of Staff Sergeant Ran Gvili in the Gaza Strip yesterday.
The body was returned for burial in Israel.
Ran Gvili was a 24-year-old police fighter.
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On October 7, 2023, he was not supposed to go out to fight. He was on medical leave because of a shoulder fracture. But when he heard about the attack, he decided to go and fight. He arrived in the area of Kibbutz Alumim. There were heavy battles there. He fought terrorists and helped people escape and survive. During the battles, Ran was killed, and his body was taken to Gaza.
The IDF managed to retrieve the body after receiving intelligence information about its location. The body was in a cemetery in northern Gaza Strip. To retrieve the body, the IDF conducted a special operation. During the operation, dentists examined 250 bodies. Until finally, the body was found and returned to Israel.
The singer and actor Idan Amedi also participated in the operation. Amedi was seriously injured in Gaza in January 2024. Recently, he returned to active reserve duty.
The family said they are deeply saddened. But they also feel proud. In Israel, it is a moment of closure: after more than two years and three months, all the abductees have returned home.