I didn’t expect to be so overcome with so many emotions upon hearing the news of the identification and repatriation of the remains of the last Israeli hostage kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza, Ran Gvili.  In the past several weeks since the second to last hostage was found and returned, a Thai citizen, Ran’s fate and heroism were discussed daily across Israeli media.  I feel like I knew him. Perhaps it was fitting that he was the last hostage to be rescued. 

Ran Gvili was a 24-year-old police officer, on leave when the Hamas attack and massacre began on October 7, 2023. Ran was recovering from a broken shoulder, but put on his uniform and took his weapon and went out to engage the terrorists who had infiltrated Israel. He ran into the fire, like a true hero not just a bystander, saving many. Unfortunately, he was mortally wounded and Hamas kidnapped his body into Gaza. 

It’s said he was the first to go in, and the last to come home. 

I didn’t understand the range of emotions yesterday, first as I heard the news from a friend, Ann Marie, in a Zoom meeting, and then in making a video myself, removing the yellow bracelet that I had worn in solidarity every day for more than two years. 

I was overcome with joy, that the recovery of the hostages is now a closed chapter in recent Israeli history. I was overcome with grief that even though we knew he was dead, that he was dead. I was overcome because it is now a closed chapter, and Israel has achieved the goal of releasing all the 251 hostages. But it’s also overwhelming knowing that the war is not over, far from it, and that my youngest grandchildren who played with the bright yellow bracelet on my wrist will still have to fight this fight because the objective of eviscerating Hamas is not even........

© Townhall