Israel Launches Large-Scale Operation To Locate Final Hostage in Gaza

NAHARIYA, Israel — Israel announced on Sunday that its military had launched a "large-scale operation" to locate the last remaining hostage believed to be in Gaza, identified as Ran Gvili. The move comes as the United States and other mediators press both Israel and Hamas to advance to the next phase of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire.

Operation, Rafah Crossing And Political Pressure

The announcement coincided with a Cabinet meeting in which Israeli ministers discussed reopening the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Late Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement:

"Upon completion of this operation, and in accordance with what has been agreed upon with the United States, Israel will open the Rafah crossing."

The statement did not provide a specific timetable; Israeli military officials told local media the operation could take several days.

Search Details

Israeli forces said search teams were operating in a cemetery in northern Gaza near the Yellow Line, the demarcation that separates areas under Israeli control. Separately, an Israeli military official said Gvili may have been buried in the Shijaiya-Tuffah area of Gaza City. Rabbis and forensic dental experts were reported to be working alongside specialized search teams. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the operation was ongoing.

Gvili’s family has urged the government not to proceed to the ceasefire’s second phase until his remains are returned. Nonetheless, U.S. officials have recently signaled that the second phase is already under way, adding diplomatic pressure to resolve the issue quickly.

Accusations And Counterclaims

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of delaying cooperation in the recovery of the final hostage. Hamas responded on Sunday saying it had provided all information in its possession about Gvili’s remains and accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas under Israeli military control.

Arson At UNRWA Compound

Separately, the shuttered headquarters of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in east Jerusalem was set ablaze overnight, days after Israeli bulldozers demolished parts of the compound. It was not immediately clear who started the fire. Roland Friedrich, the agency’s West Bank director, said settlers were seen looting furniture from the main building and that multiple holes had been cut in the fence. Israel’s fire department said it dispatched teams to prevent the blaze from spreading.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called the incident "the latest attack on the U.N. in the ongoing attempt to dismantle the status of Palestine refugees." The agency provides aid to roughly 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and about 3 million more in neighboring countries. Its operations were curtailed last year after Israel’s Knesset passed legislation severing ties and banning the agency from functioning in areas Israel defines as its territory, including east Jerusalem.

Context

Israel has long criticized UNRWA, alleging infiltration by Hamas and saying some staff were involved in the 2023 attack that precipitated the war. UNRWA leaders have said they took prompt action against employees accused of wrongdoing and denied institutional collaboration with Hamas.