Families of former hostages are furious at the prospect of Israel moving to the stage two of the ceasefire deal before the last body held in Gaza is returned home.
The Hostages Families Forum has demanded that the government insist on the return of Ran Gvili, whose body remains with Hamas.
The forum said yesterday that the return of other bodies “proves unequivocally” that Hamas knows the location of all remaining hostages and called on Israel and mediators to ensure Hamas fulfils its commitments.
The statement came as the United States prepared to announce progress toward the second phase of its Gaza plan within two weeks. Washington has worked to maintain the ceasefire while pressing both parties to follow the terms set out in October.
Last week, Israel sent a delegation to Cairo to press for Gvili to be repatriated. The delegation, led by hostage envoy Gal Hirsch, included representatives of the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad.
Gvili, a 24-year-old Israel Police Special Patrol Unit volunteer from Meitar, rushed to help on October 7 2023, despite having broken his shoulder about 10 days previously.
He is credited with rescuing some 100 people who fled the fled the Nova music festival and is believed to have killed Hamas terrorists before he was abducted into Gaza.
A panel of experts ruled in January 2024 that Gvili was no longer alive.
At a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “determined to return Ran for burial in Israel and will spare no effort to do so.”
He said he and his wife were in continuous contact with Gvili’s family and added: “We will bring him back just as we brought back 254 hostages.”
To get more Israel news, click here to sign up for our free Israel Briefing newsletter.