Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday (January 26, 2026) that his government had completed its “moral and ethical mission” with the return of the final hostage held in the Gaza Strip.
The military said earlier in the day that Ran Gvili’s remains had been identified and were being returned to Israel.
“Following the identification process conducted by the National Forensic Centre, in cooperation with the Israeli police and the military rabbinate, representatives of the (Israeli military) informed the family of hostage Ran Gvili… that their loved one had been formally identified and repatriated for burial,” an Army statement said.
“Thus, all the hostages held in the Gaza Strip have been repatriated,” it added.
“The return of the hostages, including the last deceased hostage, was carried out over two years of intense combat and represents the promise between the IDF (military) and the citizens of the State of Israel — to never leave anyone behind,” the military said in a statement.
Mr. Netanyahu on Monday (January 26) told the Knesset, “the government of Israel has completed its moral and ethical mission to bring home all the hostages, both the living and the fallen alike”.
Earlier, the premier had called it “an extraordinary achievement for the State of Israel”.
“We promised — and I promised — to bring everyone back. We brought them all back, down to the very last captive,” he said.
Nicknamed the “Defender of Alumim” by his family and the kibbutz of that name, Gvili, a policeman, was killed in combat near the community and his body taken to Gaza by Hamas militants.
Israeli authorities confirmed to his parents in January 2024 that the young officer had been killed on that day and that his body had been taken to Gaza.
