ByJAMES GENN
Updated:

The IDF on Monday released additional images and video footage of the military operation to retrieve the remains of the final Gaza hostage, St.-Sgt.-Maj.Ran Gvili, from the Gaza Strip, in January.

Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026.
Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The soldiers involved in the operation, which concluded on January 26, were from the 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, serving under the 252nd Division.

Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026.
Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Gvili, a police officer from the Special Patrol Unit (YASAM), was suffering from a broken shoulder when he heard of the October 7 massacre infiltrations. Despite his injuries, he drove towards the Gaza border communities to fight off infiltrating terrorists, killing 14, before being murdered himself.

Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026.
Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

His remains were taken into the Gaza Strip, where they were held for nearly 900 days. He was buried in Meitar, his hometown, upon his return to Israel.

Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026.
Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

His remains were located in al-Batesh cemetery in the Shejaia-Daraj-Tuffah part of northern Gaza.

Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026.
Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Palestinian Islamic Jihad buried Gvili in a Muslim cemetery in the Gaza Strip

It is believed that Palestinian Islamic Jihad deliberately buried him in the cemetery.

Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026.
Soldiers from the IDF's 3rd Alexandroni Brigade, under the 252nd Division, operate to retrieve the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili from northern Gaza in January, published on February 9, 2026. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

The imagery shows soldiers entering and searching buildings in the Gaza Strip, as well as piles of rubble, but no imagery of the excavations in the cemetery.