The family of Ran Gvili, the final Israeli hostage whose remains were recovered from Gaza, paid tribute to his heroism on Monday as they welcomed his body home. Gvili, 24, died during a terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, after he chose to fight despite a broken collarbone.
During a somber ceremony, Gvili’s father, Itzik, expressed both sorrow and pride. “You had every chance to stay at home,” he said, addressing his son’s coffin. “But you said, ‘Dad, I won’t leave my friends to fight alone.’” Gvili, a member of the Israeli Police Special Forces, had been recuperating when Hamas launched its deadly offensive, yet he rushed to protect residents of Kibbutz Alumim.
According to Israeli officials, Gvili was critically injured while engaging with Palestinian terrorists and succumbed to his wounds during the journey into Gaza. Itzik reflected on his son’s bravery, stating, “I know you died with zero regrets.” He noted the immense respect shown for Gvili as his coffin was brought to Israel, saying, “The whole police force is with you, the whole army is with you, the whole nation is with you. I’m proud of you, my son.”
Nation Comes Together in Mourning
The return of Gvili’s remains marked an important moment for a nation still grappling with the aftermath of the attack. Itzik mentioned that his son’s sacrifice helped unite the country, which had eagerly awaited the recovery of Gvili’s body to close a painful chapter in its history.
Gvili’s mother, Talik, expressed her gratitude to various figures for their efforts in securing the return of her son’s remains. She thanked President Donald Trump, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and envoy Steve Witkoff. “Our pride is much, much stronger than our pain,” she stated. “The people of Israel live and are strong.”
Israeli Police Commissioner Daniel Levy, who led the procession for Gvili’s homecoming, commended the young man’s commitment to duty. He described Gvili as embodying the “DNA” of the police force and lamented that he could not return alive, unlike many other hostages. “We salute you, we respect you, and we apologize… that we could not save you and bring you back alive,” Levy said.
Identification of Remains Following Intensive Search
The recovery of Gvili’s body followed a “large-scale operation” conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a cemetery in northern Gaza over the weekend. This effort involved exhuming and testing approximately 250 bodies after Hamas indicated that Gvili may have been buried there. His remains were positively identified through dental and fingerprint records.
The entire nation mourns Gvili’s loss while also celebrating his bravery. His body is scheduled to be buried on Wednesday, marking the end of a long and painful wait for his family and his country.
