The only slain hostage whose body is still held in Gaza

Israel watched and rejoiced as the final 20 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were released and returned on October 13 to Israel, where they and their families could begin their journeys of healing and rehabilitation together.

But of the 28 deceased hostages whose bodies were still held by Hamas when the Gaza ceasefire took effect, only one family is still waiting for closure as their loved one’s body remains in the Gaza Strip, leaving them unable to bury their son.

On October 18, the sister of Lt. Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014 and whose body had been held by Hamas until last month, said the fight for the return of the bodies was the “last and hardest,” and called on the public not to abandon the families.

“We need you now in the last and hardest battle of all. The least sexy battle, in which there will be no hugs,” said Ayelet Goldin. “There will be bowed heads, final respect, heroism, and a beautiful and pure Israeliness that preserves its values ​​for the sake of our children.”

Hadar’s body was finally returned, after 4,118 days, on November 9.

The remaining slain hostage, who was killed by Hamas-led terrorists on October 7, 2023, is police officer Ran Gvili, who was slain fighting the invaders at Kibbutz Alumim.

The latest ceasefire marks a key step toward ending the two-year war that was triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when thousands of invading terrorists killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 251.

Before the October ceasefire deal was reached, there were 48 hostages held in Gaza, including Goldin.

On October 13, the 20 living hostages among them were released.

The bodies of 28 who were killed on October 7 or died in captivity were meant to follow. Thus far, Hamas has returned 27 of them.

Ran Gvili, 24

Master Sgt. Ran Gvili was killed battling Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7, 2023, and his body was abducted to Gaza.

Gvili had been home on medical leave awaiting surgery on his broken shoulder following a motorcycle accident, but decided to go help when he heard of the Hamas onslaught on southern communities.

He was last heard from at 10:50 a.m. when he texted a friend to say that he had been shot in the leg. His family later heard that he had helped rescue fleeing partygoers from the Nova festival before heading to Alumim.

In January 2024, the family was notified that he had been killed in the attack, although they have refused to accept that determination.