Israel hands over 15 bodies of Palestinians in last stage of captive swap

On January 29, 2026, Israel handed over the bodies of 15 Palestinians to the International Committee of the Red Cross, completing a captive swap for the remains of an Israeli policeman, Ran Gvili, who died during the October 7, 2023, attacks. Gvili was the last of 251 captives taken by Hamas and other Palestinian groups. The exchange concludes a series of deals made during Israel's war on Gaza. Palestinian authorities are determining whether the bodies will be released in Khan Younis or Gaza City. While all Israeli captives held in Gaza have been returned, thousands of Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, many without charges, according to a UN report.

In Gaza City, the Israeli military desecrated at least 250 graves in al-Batsh cemetery during a search operation for the remains of an Israeli captive, Ran Gvili. The incident, which occurred in the Tuffah neighborhood, involved the use of heavy machinery and bulldozers, leading to the exhumation of both old and recent graves. Families were left devastated by the destruction of tombstones and the scattering of corpses and remains. The search operation, which took place in January 2026, has been described by residents as a violation of their right to mourn and preserve the dignity of the deceased. The desecration compounded the grief of families who had already lost loved ones during the conflict.

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.

In January 2026, NewsFeedIsrael reported that Israel plans to reopen the Rafah crossing into Gaza once the body of the final Israeli captive held there is recovered. The Rafah crossing, located on the border between Gaza and Egypt, will operate under full Israeli oversight. According to the report, the crossing will be open only for the movement of people. This decision has raised concerns that the reopened crossing could be used to encourage Palestinians to leave Gaza. The specific reasons behind Israel's decision to link the reopening to the recovery of the body were not detailed in the report.

Israel announced the recovery of the remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage held in Gaza, on Monday. Gvili, a police officer killed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, was among the first taken into Gaza. The recovery follows a large-scale Israeli military operation in a Gaza cemetery. Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed the recovery as fulfilling a promise to bring all hostages home. The return of all remaining hostages, living or dead, was a key condition of the ceasefire's first phase, and Gvili's family had urged delaying the second phase until his remains were found. Hamas has stated they have now committed to all terms of the ceasefire's first phase, paving the way for the second phase, which will address issues like Gaza's governance.

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.