Last Captive Home After Biden’s Diplomacy COLLAPSED

After 843 agonizing days, Israel has finally recovered the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza, a milestone achievement under President Trump’s Middle East peace plan that the Biden administration failed to deliver during years of weakness and failed diplomacy.

Story Snapshot

Israel recovered remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, ending a crisis that trapped 251 captives
The Trump administration’s U.S.-backed ceasefire enabled the breakthrough, with CIA involvement credited by senior advisor Jared Kushner
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared “no more hostages in Gaza,” symbolically removing his yellow hostage pin in parliament
Recovery clears the path for phase two negotiations on Hamas disarmament and Gaza reconstruction under American leadership

Trump-Backed Ceasefire Delivers Where Biden Failed

The Israeli Defense Forces recovered the remains of 24-year-old Ran Gvili from a cemetery in northern Gaza on January 26, 2026, following an intelligence-driven operation over the weekend. Gvili, an IDF special forces policeman killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack, had his body seized by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The recovery marks completion of the first phase of a ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration, involving direct CIA coordination that contrasts sharply with the previous administration’s ineffective posturing. Netanyahu addressed the Knesset declaring mission accomplished, a moment of national closure after over two years of anguish.

Hamas Attack’s Devastating Toll Finally Resolved

The October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages being dragged into Gaza, launching a conflict that devastated the region. Prior to Gvili’s recovery, Israel had secured the return of 20 living hostages and 27 bodies through exchanges involving hundreds of Palestinian remains. The Rafah crossing, shut since May 2024 after Israeli forces secured southern Gaza, severely restricted aid and movement. Gvili’s family insisted on his recovery before advancing to phase two of ceasefire negotiations, pushing Israeli leadership to prioritize intelligence operations in areas under their control.

Strategic Victory Opens Door for Regional Stability

The recovery represents the first confirmation since 2014 that no Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, building on precedents like the 2025 return of Oron Shaul’s remains held since 2014. This achievement validates Trump’s Middle East strategy focused on results over empty diplomatic rhetoric. Netanyahu’s government now plans partial reopening of the Rafah crossing for vetted Palestinian travel and medical evacuations, though journalists remain barred and direct aid flows face restrictions. Phase two negotiations will tackle contentious issues including Hamas disarmament, Israeli military withdrawal, and governance restructuring with international oversight, all elements Biden’s team couldn’t navigate effectively.

American Leadership Restores Middle East Order

Senior Trump advisors including Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff played pivotal roles alongside CIA operatives in brokering the ceasefire framework that made Gvili’s recovery possible. This hands-on approach reflects a dramatic shift from Biden-era policies that allowed Hamas to dictate terms while American influence waned. Israeli President Isaac Herzog joined Netanyahu in removing symbolic yellow hostage pins, marking closure for families who endured uncertainty under previous failed peace efforts. The operation’s success pressures Hamas to comply with phase two demands for disarmament while enabling Gaza reconstruction under principles that reject the chaos Biden’s weakness fostered across the region.