Netanyahu Calls Family of Last Israeli Hostage as Tel Aviv Protesters Demand Return of Remaining Bodies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken with the family of Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage whose body remains in Gaza, his office announced on Saturday. The outreach came as demonstrators rallied in Tel Aviv demanding the return of the final two bodies still held in the enclave.

Gvili, 24, an officer in Israel’s elite Yasam police unit, was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, and his body was taken into Gaza by militants.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu updated Gvili’s parents, Talik and Itzik, on ongoing efforts to recover their son’s remains and assured them of his determination to ensure a proper Jewish burial.

Netanyahu also spoke with Thailand’s ambassador to Israel regarding efforts to recover the body of Sudthisak Rinthalak, 43, the last remaining Thai national held in Gaza. Rinthalak, a labourer working at Kibbutz Beeri, was killed in the October 7 attack and his death was confirmed in May 2024.

Weekly Demonstrations Continue in Tel Aviv

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum organised another rally at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, part of a sustained push to pressure the government to secure the return of all captives.

Protesters carried portraits of Gvili and Rinthalak and held signs reading “Day 785; we leave no one behind.” Attendees chanted, “You are not alone, we stand with you.”

Many emphasised that every remaining hostage holds equal significance.
“Two is like 70. Each one is equally important,” said protester Michal Yaniv, 72, who vowed to keep demonstrating until the government brings all hostages home and acknowledges its failures from October 7.

Another attendee, Noya Ziv, said the group’s consistent presence for two years has been instrumental in securing releases so far. “There is hope that it will end soon… We’re in the final stretch,” she added.

Ceasefire Agreement and Hostage Status

Under the US-sponsored ceasefire that began on October 10, Hamas agreed to release all 48 hostages believed to be held in Gaza at the time—20 of them alive.

So far, 46 have been returned, including the remains of a soldier abducted over a decade ago. The bodies of Gvili and Rinthalak are the last still in Gaza.