Overview
- Israeli authorities said the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, working with Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, confirmed the identity of Ran Gvili and notified his family ahead of his return for burial.
- The IDF stated that with Gvili’s recovery all hostages taken to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, have now been returned to Israel, marking the first time since 2014 that none are held in the enclave.
- Troops conducted a large-scale search centered on a cemetery in Gaza City’s Tuffah area and along the yellow line, using new intelligence vetted by mediators, with dental records used to verify the remains.
- Israel has pledged to reopen the Rafah crossing in a limited, pedestrian-only format under a full Israeli inspection mechanism, though no reopening time was announced as officials finalize arrangements.
- Hamas said it provided location details for Gvili’s remains and pressed Israel to implement all ceasefire terms, while U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have urged movement into a second phase focused on demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.