Israel retrieves body of last hostage from Gaza: completion of first phase of peace plan
Kyiv • UNN
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the return of the body of 24-year-old police officer Ran Gvili, who had been held in Gaza since October 2023. This event marks the completion of the first phase of the peace plan, developed with US mediation.
The Israel Defense Forces have officially confirmed the identification and return of the body of the last hostage, 24-year-old police officer Ran Gvili, who had been held in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. This was reported by AP, writes UNN.
Details
This event marks the completion of the first phase of the peace plan, developed with US mediation, and paves the way for more complex negotiations regarding the future structure of the enclave and a complete ceasefire.
Historic Moment and Mission Completion
Ran Gvili died during the attack on October 7, 2023, defending Kibbutz Alumim, but his remains were under the control of militants for more than 800 days. A special operation to find them was carried out by Israeli forces in northern Gaza last weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking before parliament, symbolically removed the yellow ribbon – a sign of remembrance for the captives – stating that "the task of returning all hostages has been completed."
For the first time since 2014, there is not a single Israeli hostage in Gaza. We have returned Rani Gvili, of blessed memory, a hero of Israel. There are no more kidnapped persons in Gaza
Transition to the Second Phase and Disarmament of Hamas
The completion of the first stage allows for the implementation of the most controversial points of the agreement, initiated by the Donald Trump administration. The plan provides for the partial opening of the Rafah crossing point on the border with Egypt for the free movement of Palestinians, as well as the deployment of an international peacekeeping contingent in the sector. The key demand of Israel and the mediators remains the demilitarization of the region.
The second phase of negotiations also includes discussions on amnesty for those Hamas members who agree to voluntarily lay down their arms and not obstruct the creation of a technocratic government in Gaza. Hamas has already called on the US to pressure Israel to immediately fulfill its obligations to withdraw troops from key corridors of the enclave.