IDF chief delivers message of hope to family of last Israeli hostage Ran Gvili

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir stopped by a rally on behalf of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili, held on Friday, to deliver a message of hope to his parents, saying there was “room for optimism” regarding their son’s return, according to Israel's Channel 12.

While Israel is still awaiting the return of Gvili's remains from Gaza, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the U.S. has identified the location of his body.

Weekly rallies continue to support Gvili’s family and call for his return. They also aim to pressure the government not to advance to phase two of the peace plan initiated by Trump until the family can lay Ran to rest.

In a statement from the Israeli military, Zamir “emphasized that the mission to return him [Gvili] is at the forefront of the minds and hearts of all IDF soldiers, from the chief of staff to the very last soldier,” reassuring that the IDF is “constantly working across all efforts to bring him home as soon as possible.”

Gvili, 24, worked as a policeman and was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel while defending Kibbutz Alumim. He was awaiting surgery for an injured shoulder but rushed to help those in need, according to the Times of Israel.

Weekly events supporting the hostage release, as well as government protests, have been taking place each week at the end of the Sabbath. However, when Gvili became the last hostage in Gaza, the family began attending the Kibbutz Movement’s Kabbalat Shabbat services at Hostages’ Square on Friday afternoons, the Times of Israel reported.

Gvili’s sister, Shira, said she has been “surprised anew every time” by the number of supporters who show up for her family at the rallies. She also said that while it’s hard for her to attend the events, it’s “become a routine.”

She reiterated that her one request is that “we remain united, in solidarity, like we are here today.”

This Friday’s service was hosted by Kibbutz Ein Tzurim and attended by families of former hostages, as well as Segev Kalfon and Eitan Horn – two of the 20 living hostages released from Hamas captivity on Oct. 13 of last year under a ceasefire deal reached four days earlier.

Kalfon, who was abducted from the Nova music festival near Re’im, said Gvili was among the many “superheroes” who have emerged in Israel during the war with Hamas.

“I’m Segev, and I’m home, and I came back to life 102 days ago,” he said. “I’m learning to live again, and I’m also learning about everything that happened here, and about the many superheroes in this country.”

Kalfon said that when he sees photos of Gvili, he feels they could have been friends, adding, “Ran should have come back long ago. Now everyone’s talking about phase two, and Ran’s still there.”

Under the Gaza Peace Plan, the ceasefire’s second phase – which envisions further Israeli withdrawals and the opening of the Egypt border crossing – was to begin only after the return of all hostages, living and deceased. However, the United States announced earlier this month that the ceasefire had not progressed. Gvili’s family has called on Israel to refrain from making any concessions until their son's remains are returned.

In addition to the rally attended by the family on Friday afternoon, the Saturday evening protest against the government in Tel Aviv still took place. Hundreds gathered in Habima Square, holding banners, posters, and flags highlighting a range of concerns – from opposition to government efforts to curb the authority of the High Court of Justice to calls for prioritizing Gvili’s return, as well as the nearly two-year-old case of the missing Ethiopian Israeli child, Haymanut Kasau.

Protests with similar anti-government messages also took place on Saturday evening in Jerusalem, Kfar Saba, and other cities.