The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on 25/1 that a search for the body of hostage Ran Gvili is underway at a cemetery in northern Gaza. The operation is expected to continue "as long as necessary", with Israeli media quoting military officials indicating it could last several days.

This "large-scale operation" is being conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and commenced over the weekend, the Prime Minister's office added. The statement indicated that "after the operation is completed, Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing as agreed with the US".

Residents hold photos of Ran Gvili during a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 23/1, calling for his body's return. *AP*

While Israel has previously conducted hostage search operations, Tel Aviv has disclosed more information about this particular effort. The IDF specified that the cemetery is near the "Gold Line", which demarcates the area controlled by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

An unnamed Israeli military official suggested Gvili might have been buried in the Shijaiya-Tuffah area of Gaza City. Rabbis and dental experts are assisting the search forces.

The return of all hostages from the Gaza Strip, whether alive or deceased, forms a central part of phase one of the ceasefire agreement. This agreement between Israel and the armed group Hamas became effective in 10/2025.

Recovering Ran Gvili's body, the last hostage in the Gaza Strip, is considered crucial to removing the final obstacle for progressing to phase two of the ceasefire agreement and reopening the Rafah crossing. This crossing is the sole entry and exit point for nearly two million residents of the territory.

The location of the "Gold Line", established under phase one of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. *BBC*

Gvili's family has urged Prime Minister Netanyahu's government not to proceed to phase two of the ceasefire agreement until his body is recovered. However, pressure on Israel is intensifying, especially after the administration of US President Donald Trump declared a few days ago that phase two of the agreement had already commenced.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the search for the last hostage in the Gaza Strip. On 25/1, the armed group asserted that it had provided all available information regarding Gvili's body. Hamas also accused Tel Aviv of obstructing search operations in areas controlled by Israeli forces within the Gaza Strip.

Pham Giang (According to AP)