Israel Searches Gaza for Last Soldier's Remains

Israeli forces launched a large-scale search operation on Sunday for the remains of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli soldier whose body is believed to be held in Gaza, following information provided by Hamas to mediators. The effort, centered in eastern Gaza City near the neighborhoods of Shejaiya, Daraj, and Tuffah, comes amid mounting pressure from the United States and other international parties to advance the second phase of a ceasefire agreement that began on October 10.

Gvili, a sergeant first class in Israel's border police, was killed during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. The Israeli military confirmed the operation is underway based on intelligence, with specialized teams including rabbis and dental experts assisting in the sensitive recovery work at a Muslim cemetery in the area. An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the search, indicated that the focus includes the Shujaiya-Daraj-Tuffah region in northern Gaza, near the Yellow Line demarcating Israeli-controlled zones.

Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades, its armed wing, stated that it had shared all available details about Gvili's remains with mediators,...