The announcement that the remains of the last hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, were recovered Monday ended a painful saga that had transfixed Israel for two and a half years and stalled its ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
There was an outpouring of emotion in Israel after the recovery of the body of the 24-year-old police officer, who was killed while fighting militants during the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war in Gaza. Beyond Israel, many hoped the ceasefire could move into its second phase.
