October 7 · Personal story
Ran Gvili
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Kibbutz Alumim area
Current outcome
Returned for burial · January 26, 2026
Remains recovered, identified, and returned to Israel on 26 January 2026.
01
Before October 7
Ran grew up in Meitar with siblings Omri and Shira. At 12, after noticing a classmate might have few guests at her bat mitzvah because another celebration was taking place at the same time, Ran persuaded the boys in class to attend her celebration too. Ran’s mother recalled a long walk from Meitar to Karmit, carrying food for a dog and her many puppies. After army service in Golani, Ran joined the Negev police patrol unit.
02
A morning call to duty
About two weeks before the attack, Ran broke his shoulder and was on medical leave awaiting surgery. When the attack began, Ran said there was no way to leave fellow officers to fight alone. With officer Guy Madar, Ran helped people fleeing Nova near Sa’ad Junction, then went to assist colleagues under fire. Ran was badly wounded in fighting near Alumim.
03
Death in battle; body held in Gaza
Ran died fighting militants on 7 October. The family received official notice on 30 January 2024 that Ran had fallen in battle and the body was in Gaza. Ran’s mother described how the family waited for certainty while raising questions about what they had been shown. The body remained in Gaza until the recovery operation in January 2026.
04
Return for burial
On 26 January 2026, forces located Ran’s remains in a cemetery in northern Gaza. The military said dental identification confirmed the identity. Ran was the last hostage body still in Gaza; recovery ended the family’s wait to bring the body home. This date marks recovery and identification, after Ran’s death in battle on 7 October 2023.
05
His family welcomed him home
After identification, Ran’s mother shared a tribute: “The first to go, the last to leave.” His sister Shira had earlier said the family hoped to move forward while remembering Ran.