Israeli media cite official accepting Hamas figure of 70,000 war dead

In January 2026, Israeli police held a ceremony for Ran Gvili, the last slain Israeli captive whose remains were recovered from Gaza. Members of Gvili's family attended the ceremony. The retrieval of Gvili's remains marks a significant step, clearing the path for the implementation of the second phase of the US-backed Gaza ceasefire agreement. The recovery concludes the search for captives and allows focus to shift towards the next stage of the negotiated truce. The event took place in Israel following the return of Gvili's body from Gaza.

For two years, the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt has remained largely closed due to the ongoing war with Israel, severely impacting the lives of Palestinians seeking to leave. The closure, despite a ceasefire agreement, has prevented people like Khitam Hameed from reuniting with her husband abroad and seeking medical treatment for her son Yousef, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder requiring specialized care. The reopening of the Rafah crossing was linked to the recovery of the remains of the final Israeli captive, creating a sense of anxious anticipation for thousands needing urgent medical care or family reunification. While the retrieval of the body has seemingly opened the door, access is expected to be limited and under strict military supervision. The situation leaves many Gazans in displacement camps, their lives on hold, hoping for a chance to leave and rebuild.

In January 2026, the Israeli military conducted a large operation in Gaza to recover the body of Ran Gvili, an Israeli policeman killed over two years prior. The operation involved tanks, drones, and explosives, resulting in the destruction of a neighborhood and the deaths of four Palestinians. While Israel hailed the recovery as a success, the article highlights a disparity in how the dead are treated. Over 10,000 Palestinians remain buried under rubble in Gaza, with limited efforts for recovery or identification. The digging up of the al-Batsh cemetery symbolizes this double standard, where the recovery of one Israeli body receives significant resources while the remains of thousands of Palestinians are largely ignored.

A US official stated that Hamas disarmament in Gaza will likely include some form of amnesty for the group's members. This comment was made after the recovery of the last Israeli captive in Gaza, which is seen as a step toward the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal agreed upon in October 2026. The official indicated that the US believes Hamas will disarm and that a program is in place to facilitate this. While details remain unclear, the possibility of amnesty in exchange for disarmament is being discussed, marking a potentially significant development. The statement was made during a background briefing by senior officials from the US President Donald Trump’s administration and reporters in Washington, DC.

Israel has recovered the remains of the final hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili, paving the way for the next phase of the ceasefire. The recovery followed a large-scale Israeli military operation in a cemetery in northern Gaza. The return of all hostages, living or dead, was a key condition of the ceasefire's initial phase, with Gvili's family urging Israel to delay phase two until his remains were found. Israel had accused Hamas of delaying the recovery, while Hamas claimed to have provided all available information and accused Israel of obstruction. Mediators, including Washington, have been pressuring both sides to move into the second phase of the truce, which began on October 10.

Amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, pressure is mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to open the Rafah crossing. This development follows a "targeted operation" by the Israeli military in northern Gaza, aimed at retrieving the remains of police officer Ran Gvili. Hamas has reportedly provided truce mediators with details regarding the possible location of the body, potentially paving the way for its return under a US-brokered ceasefire. The Israeli military stated the operation was launched to exhaust all intelligence related to the captive's remains. The reopening of the Rafah crossing is anticipated after the search concludes.

Israel announced it will reopen the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt within days, allowing Palestinians who fled during the two-year war to return. The reopening, a part of the October cease-fire deal, is scheduled after Israel completes its search for the remains of the last captive in Gaza, Ran Gvili. Aid officials hope the reopening will also facilitate the evacuation of over 18,000 Gazans needing medical care abroad. The decision to reopen comes even if the search is unsuccessful, seemingly lowering the previous condition of Hamas returning all deceased Israelis. The Israeli military is currently conducting a focused search in central Gaza for Gvili's body, based on new intelligence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on January 26, 2026, that the next phase following a ceasefire and the return of Israeli captives in Gaza will focus on demilitarization. Netanyahu specified that this phase will not involve reconstruction efforts. He outlined the primary objective as disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the entire Gaza Strip. The statement clarifies Israel's priorities for the post-hostilities period, emphasizing security concerns over immediate rebuilding initiatives. This announcement sets the stage for potential future negotiations and actions related to the Gaza Strip.

Israel confirmed on Monday the recovery of the remains of Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza. Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer, was killed on October 7, 2023, during fighting with Hamas terrorists near Kibbutz Alumim. Following his death, his body was abducted to Gaza. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement describing Gvili as a beloved friend with deep values. Gvili is survived by his parents, brother, and sister.