Photo credit: NBC News
Israel has recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza.
The final condition of the initial phase of US President Donald Trump has thus been fulfilled.
The remains of police officer Ran Gvill have been identified and will be returned for burial, the military said in a statement.
The recovery could pave the way for a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the devastated enclave’s main gateway to the outside world, in line with Israel’s pledges.
The Palestinian committee of technocrats backed by the US to administer Gaza has said the border crossing would open this week. A government spokesman had n immediate comment when asked when the border crossing would be reopened.
Gvill’s remains had been held in Gaza since he was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, on southern Israeli communities, which triggered the two-year Israeli offensive.
Footage aired on Israeli news channels showed dozens of soldiers arm in arm, purportedly at the site in Gaza where the body was discovered. They were singing a Hebrew song expressing Jewish hope and faith.
