Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Israel buries last hostage from Gaza
Israel is burying Ran Gvili, the last hostage returned from Gaza.
He was an off-duty police officer who was killed fighting militants during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel.
His remains were recovered and will be buried in his hometown of Meitar.
This event is seen as a moment of national healing for Israel, as it marks the end of a very difficult period.
Many hostages were released during ceasefires, but some died in captivity.
The burial completes a part of a plan to end the war, which includes reopening the Rafah border with Egypt.
However, the future of Gaza remains uncertain, with ongoing discussions about demilitarization and reconstruction.
Ran Gvili, an off-duty police officer, was killed fighting militants during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel.
Gvili's remains were recovered and will be buried in his hometown of Meitar, southern Israel, in a procession starting at Camp Shura.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog are expected to deliver eulogies at the funeral.
The burial marks a moment of national healing for Israel and completes a core aspect of a plan to end the war.
Israel will reopen Gaza's border crossing with Egypt in both directions, allowing Palestinians to enter and leave the territory after nearly two years of closure.
- Who
- Ran Gvili, an off-duty police officer
- What
- Burial of the last returned hostage from Gaza
- When
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Meitar, southern Israel
- Why
- To mark a moment of national healing after the October 7 attack and the subsequent war
- Name
- Ran Gvili
- Occupation
- Off-duty police officer
- Date of Attack
- October 7, 2023
- Attackers
- Hamas and Islamic Jihad
- Hostages Abducted
- About 250
- Israeli Death Toll
- Around 1,200
- Palestinian Death Toll
- More than 71,000 (according to Palestinian health authorities)
- Burial Location
- Meitar, southern Israel
- Days Since Attack
- 843 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes, and 59 seconds
- Border Crossing
- Rafah
Sources
Israel buries last returned hostage from Gaza
Netanyahu accuses Biden era’s ‘arms embargo’ for deaths of Israeli soldiers in Gaza
Israel marks return of final hostage's remains after more than two years of war and grief - Telegraph India
Israel buries last captive recovered from Gaza, ending a painful chapter
