Israel lays Ran Gvili to rest as the final hostage returned from Gaza, closing a chapter that began with Hamas’s 2023 attack and a devastating two-year war.
MEITAR: Mourners lined the streets on Wednesday as Israel prepared to bury Ran Gvili, the last hostage returned from Gaza.
Dozens of onlookers with Israeli flags watched a convoy carry his body from Camp Shura military base to his hometown.
A line of police officers stood sombrely to salute the passing coffin under an overcast sky.
Israeli forces recovered Gvili’s remains on Monday, ending the hostage saga that began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack.
The 24-year-old elite police officer was the last of 251 hostages taken that day whose body was held in Gaza.
Gvili was on medical leave ahead of shoulder surgery when the attack began but grabbed his gun and raced to the scene.
Nicknamed the “Defender of Alumim”, he was killed in combat and his body was taken by Hamas militants.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to speak at the funeral ceremony in Meitar later on Wednesday.
Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel had “fully completed the sacred mission of returning all of our hostages”.
“Ran was the first to charge, and Rani was the last to return,” he said during a televised press conference.
The return of hostages was secured through ceasefire deals, prisoner swaps and military rescue efforts over a two-year war.
The most recent handovers were part of a US-backed Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect on October 10.
Hundreds gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square late on Tuesday as a clock counting the days hostages were held finally stopped.
“Thank you for not giving up,” said former hostage Yosef-Haim Ohana.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Monday it was the first time since 2014 that no Israeli citizens were held hostage in Gaza.
