THE remains of the final hostage in Gaza have been recovered, Israel’s military said today.

The recovery of the remains of Ran Gvil theoretically clears the way for the next phase of the so-called ceasefire in Gaza.

This comes a day after Israel’s government said the military was conducting a “large-scale operation” in a cemetery in northern Gaza to locate Mr Gvil’s remains.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “an incredible achievement” for Israel and its soldiers, telling Israeli media that “I promised we would bring everyone home and we have brought everyone home.”

He said Mr Gvili, who was killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7 2023, that sparked the deadly retaliation from Israel which killed at least 71,000, was among the first to be taken into Gaza.

About 1,200 were killed during the Hamas attack and 251 were taken hostage.

Mr Gvili, a police officer, was killed during that day’s fighting.

The return of all remaining hostages, living or dead, has been a key part of the Gaza ceasefire’s first phase, and Mr Gvili’s family had urged Israel’s government not to enter the second phase until his remains were recovered and returned.

Mr Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday that Israel would open the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which Palestinians see as their lifeline to the world, once the search for Mr Gvili was finished.

The crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a vital entry point for aid into Gaza, has been largely closed since May 2024.

Its reopening forms part of the truce agreement.

Israel and Hamas had been under pressure from ceasefire mediators including Washington to move into the second phase of the truce, which took effect on October 10.

Palestinians have accused the Israelis of continuing to violate the ceasefire. More than 480 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire.

Israeli forces shot and killed a man in Gaza City’s Tuffah neighbourhood today, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the body.

The man was close to an area where the military were involved in the search operation for Mr Gvili, the hospital said.

Another man was killed in the eastern side of Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital.

The circumstances of his death were not immediately clear.

There has been no immediate comment from the Israelis on either shooting.

The next phase of the 20-point ceasefire plan has called for creating an international stabilisation force, forming a technocratic Palestinian government and disarming Hamas.