The family of Ran Gvili has urgently appealed to the Israeli government, pressing officials not to commence the second phase of the ceasefire agreement until his remains are returned. This emotional plea comes as Israel initiates a significant military operation to locate the last hostage in Gaza, a move that has become the primary obstacle to advancing the peace process.
Large-Scale Military Operation Underway
On Sunday, Israel confirmed its military was conducting what it described as a "large-scale operation" specifically aimed at finding Ran Gvili. This announcement followed a cabinet meeting to discuss opening Gaza's crucial Rafah border crossing with Egypt, and came just one day after top American envoys met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss next steps in the ceasefire process.
The Israeli demand for Gvili's return has been widely recognised as the final barrier to both opening the Rafah crossing and beginning the US-brokered ceasefire's second phase. Netanyahu's office stated late Sunday that once this search operation is "exhausted and in accordance with the agreement with the United States, Israel will open the Rafah crossing."
Detailed Search Efforts in Northern Gaza
While Israel has conducted previous search efforts for Gvili, this operation has seen more detailed information released than usual. The Israeli military revealed it is searching a cemetery in northern Gaza near the "yellow line," which demarcates Israeli-controlled areas of the territory.
Separately, an Israeli military official speaking anonymously due to the ongoing nature of the operation indicated Gvili may have been buried in the Shuja'iya-Daraj Tuffah area. The official confirmed that rabbis and dental experts are on the ground working alongside specialised search teams to facilitate the recovery effort.
Ceasefire Progress and Political Pressure
The return of all remaining hostages, whether alive or deceased, has been a central component of the first phase of the ceasefire that took effect on 10 October. The previous hostage was recovered in early December, leaving Gvili as the final unresolved case.
Despite the family's plea to delay the second phase until Gvili's remains are returned, political pressure has been mounting. The Trump administration has already declared in recent days that the second phase is underway, creating tension between diplomatic timelines and humanitarian concerns.
Accusations and Counterclaims
Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of deliberately slowing the recovery process for the final hostage. In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas claimed it had provided all available information about Gvili's remains and instead accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas of Gaza under Israeli military control.
UN Agency Headquarters Attacked
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the shuttered headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight. This incident occurred just days after Israeli bulldozers demolished parts of the compound.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, though Roland Friedrich, the agency's West Bank director, reported observing Israeli settlers looting the main building for furniture during the night and noted that holes had been cut in the perimeter fence. Israel's fire department confirmed it dispatched teams to prevent the blaze from spreading.
This represents the latest in a series of attacks on UN facilities, following a May 2024 incident where Unrwa announced it was closing its compound after settlers set fires to its fence. Philippe Lazzarini, Unrwa's commissioner-general, told the Associated Press this was the "latest attack on the UN in the ongoing attempt to dismantle the status of Palestine refugees."
Unrwa's Controversial Position
Unrwa's mandate involves providing aid and services to 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem, plus an additional 3 million refugees in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. However, its operations were significantly curtailed last year when Israel's Knesset passed legislation severing ties and banning the agency from functioning in what Israel defines as its territory, including East Jerusalem.
Israel has long criticised the agency, alleging infiltration by Hamas and claiming some employees participated in the 2023 attack that triggered Israel's ongoing two-year war in Gaza. Unrwa leadership has stated they took swift action against accused employees and firmly denies allegations that the agency tolerates or collaborates with Hamas.
