Israel says the remains of the final hostage in Gaza have been recovered, clearing the way for the next phase of the ceasefire that stopped the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel's military says the remains of Ran Gvili, the last person whose body was taken hostage into Gaza, have been recovered.

Israel’s military had said the large-scale operation to locate the hostage's remains was “in the area of the Yellow Line” that divides the territory.

The crossing has been under a near complete closure since Israel seized it in May 2024, saying the step was part of a strategy to halt cross-border arms smuggling by Hamas. It was briefly opened for the evacuation of medical patients during a short-lived ceasefire in early 2025.

The remarks came shortly after the IDF located the remains of slain hostage St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, in northern Gaza.

Prior to the ceasefire, it was confirmed that Israel, generally through the Shin Bet, but sometimes also in conjunction with the IDF, would provide various kinds of support to Gazan militias. Israel continues to back Gazan militias even after the October ceasefire to fight Hamas in portions of the Strip under the terror group's control over the Yellow Line,

Israel on Saturday launched airstrikes at targets in Gaza, with Palestinian authorities reporting that at least 30 were killed in the attacks.

Israel released 15 bodies of Palestinians killed during its war in Gaza, three days after the remains of the last Israeli hostage was returned.