The remains of the last Israeli hostage retrieved from Gaza have been returned to his family, who have publicly celebrated his heroism. On Monday, the body of Ran Gvili, 24, was brought back to Israel, where his father and mother hailed him as a hero for his bravery during the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Despite suffering a broken collarbone, Gvili chose to join the fight against Hamas militants, a decision that ultimately cost him his life.
During a poignant ceremony, Gvili’s father, Itzik Gvili, expressed both sorrow and pride. “You dummy, you had every chance to stay at home,” he reflected as he stood beside his son’s coffin, which had been absent for over two years. “But you said, ‘Dad.’ What did you tell me? ‘I won’t leave my friends to fight alone,’” Itzik recalled, emphasizing his son’s commitment to protect others even while injured.
Gvili, a member of the Israeli Police Special Forces, was at home recuperating when the attack occurred. Despite his injuries, he raced to defend residents from the nearby Kibbutz Alumim. During the assault, he sustained severe injuries and died while being transported into Gaza, according to officials from the Israeli Defense Force.
As Gvili’s body was escorted back to Israel, Itzik noted the respect and honor surrounding his son’s homecoming. “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,” he said, recognizing the collective mourning and pride shared by his fellow citizens.
Talik Gvili, Ran’s mother, expressed gratitude towards various individuals and groups, including President Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, for their roles in facilitating the return of her son’s remains. “Our pride is much, much stronger than our pain,” she stated, reinforcing the resilience of the Israeli people in the face of tragedy.
The Israeli Police Commissioner, Daniel Levy, participated in the procession and described Gvili as embodying the essence of the police force. “We salute you, we respect you, and we apologize… that we could not save you and bring you back alive,” Levy lamented, underlining the profound loss felt by the community.
Following extensive efforts, Gvili’s remains were identified after a large-scale operation in a cemetery in northern Gaza. The operation involved exhuming and testing approximately 250 bodies to confirm his identity, which was established through dental and fingerprint records. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, marking the conclusion of a painful chapter for his family and the nation.
As Israel collectively mourns, the return of Ran Gvili serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the ongoing conflict, with his bravery resonating deeply with the Israeli public.
