Monday, January 26, 2026
Our hearts are both broken and full.
After 843 agonizing days of captivity, Ran Gvili, the last Hamas hostage taken on October 7, 2023, has finally been brought home to Israel. As of January 26, 2026, there are no longer any Israelis being held or tortured in Gaza. Ran’s return, after his remains were located in the Al-Barsh cemetery in Gaza, gives his family what every family deserves: certainty, dignity, and a place to mourn.
The State of Israel and the global Jewish community, together with allies around the world, feel profound relief after more than two years of anguish. At the same time, the Jewish people, both in Israel and across the diaspora, will need time to heal from the trauma and loss of these last 843 days.
The Israel Defense Forces’ unwavering determination to locate Ran, exhuming hundreds of bodies under the most difficult and heartbreaking conditions and identifying him through meticulous forensic work, reflects a nation and an army guided not only by duty, but by deep moral responsibility. Even in the midst of war, the IDF upheld the principle of human dignity, committing to rebury every exhumed body with respect and care.
This is what an army like no other looks like: one that does not abandon its people, one that believes every life matters, and one that understands that bringing someone home, even after death, is an act of love, loyalty, and national conscience.
StandWithUs honors Ran Gvili’s memory and extends our deepest condolences to his family. May his memory forever be a blessing. May his loved ones find comfort and closure in knowing he is home. And may the commitment shown by the IDF and the people of Israel during these last 843 days, stand as a testament to the values Israel continues to defend, even in the darkest moments.
