TEL AVIV — IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stopped his vehicle outside the military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Friday and spoke with the parents of slain police officer Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage whose body remains held in Gaza.
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Zamir met with Itzik and Talik Gvili near the Kirya compound, where the family has been holding weekly rallies at nearby Hostages Square to demand the return of their son’s remains.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, Zamir emphasized the military’s unwavering commitment to bringing Gvili home.
“The chief of staff emphasized that the mission to return him is at the forefront of the minds and hearts of all IDF soldiers, from the chief of staff to the very last soldier,” the IDF said in a statement. He added that the military is “constantly working across all efforts to bring him home as soon as possible.”
Gvili, 24, from Meitar, was a member of the Israel Police’s elite Yasam counter-terrorism unit. He was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, while fighting Hamas terrorists near Kibbutz Alumim, despite being injured with a broken shoulder. His body was abducted to Gaza, where it has remained despite recent returns of other hostages’ remains as part of ongoing negotiations and searches.
The encounter comes amid family and public calls to halt progress on any Gaza ceasefire or deal phases until Gvili’s body is repatriated for burial. Supporters have gathered regularly at Hostages Square, describing the effort as a national moral imperative.
The IDF has described Gvili — often referred to affectionately as “Rani” — as a hero whose return remains a top priority for the military and the nation.
It’s very sad but dangerous to bring him home. It’s not worth it. Once he comes home Israel will need to concede more to hamas. Like this they have them boxed in . It’s sad but nobody imagined we’d get all but one . This is the best spot we could be in
Bring him home and all Jewish soldiers who served on IDF in this war get q dunam of land to build a home and business as reward to them for protecting Am Yisroel.
It is to be called
Schunat chayaliei Zaddikim!
Gaza’is Jewish Land given by God to the Jewish People