Parents of the final deceased hostage in Gaza state, 'All Israelis stand with us'

The parents of the final Israeli hostage who died in Gaza have shared their anguish with the BBC as they wait for his body to be returned. Itzik and Talik Gvili emphasized that the peace process with Gaza cannot advance until Hamas delivers the remains of their 24-year-old son, Ran, an Israeli police officer also known as Rani.

"We hope that people everywhere want to resolve this and move forward, so Hamas must bring Rani home," said Talik, following Israels confirmation of the return of the body of Thai national Suthisak Rintalak on Wednesday.

Ran and Suthisak were among 251 people kidnapped during the Hamas-led assault on Israel on 7 October 2023, an attack that claimed 1,200 lives. Ran died defending Kibbutz Alumim, and his body was taken to Gaza, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Despite being on medical leave for a shoulder injury, Ran joined the fight after seeing the attacks unfold on television.

"He couldnt stay home even with his injury. He took my car, his uniform, and went to defend against the attackers," Itzik said. "He saved Kibbutz Alumim and he saved Israel, so Israel must now bring him back."

Though Israeli officials have confirmed Rans death, his parents hold onto a sliver of hope that he may have survived. "We want closure," Talik added.

During a visit to London, the couple recounted the past 26 months of campaigning for the return of all hostages, living or deceased. Under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire effective 10 October, Hamas agreed to return the final 20 living Israeli hostages along with the remains of 28 deceased hostages within 72 hours.

All living hostages were released on 13 October in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza, but the bodies of the dead have been returned gradually, often individually. "When Hamas brings a body, we dont know whose it isit could be Rani, it could be someone else. Its like roulette," Talik said, describing the stress of receiving remains that sometimes turned out to be Palestinians rather than Israelis.

"I hope no mother ever experiences this pain. We are strong, but the grief is unimaginable. They took my child, and all I can do is pray," Talik said. She admitted she hasnt slept a full night since 7 October 2023. "It feels like carrying 5,000 kilos on your chest. We have neither day nor night."

Although Rans parents are now the only Israeli family awaiting a loved one from Gaza, they feel widespread support. "All Israeli families stand with us. The focus is clear: bring Ran home, then advance the next phase of the peace deal," Talik said.

The couple expressed hope that after Rans return, a lasting peace could be achieved and Hamas dismantled. "We are proud of Ran. He is a hero in Israel. Hamas made him a hero. We want him back so we can breathe and sleep again," they said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also described Ran as a "hero of Israel," noting that he had "eliminated 14 terrorists with extraordinary courage" before being killed. "We are determined to ensure Ran receives a proper Jewish burial and will do everything to make it happen," he stated.

Israels military response to the 7 October 2023 attack has resulted in over 70,120 deaths in Gaza, according to the territorys Hamas-run health ministry.

Author: Ethan Caldwell