Hamas: Return of last hostage shows we are committed to Gaza ceasefire

By Lazar Berman

You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

26 January 2026, 4:43 pm

8 Edit

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Hamas operatives ostensibly searching for the remains of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, January 7, 2026. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Hamas says that the return of the body of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili proves its commitment to the terms of the Gaza ceasefire.

“The discovery of the body of the last Israeli captive in Gaza confirms Hamas’s commitment to all the requirements of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including the prisoner exchange,” says Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in a statement.

“Hamas will continue to adhere to all aspects of the agreement, including facilitating the work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza and ensuring its success. We call on the mediators and the United States to compel the ‘occupation’ to stop violating the agreement and to implement its required obligations.”