Hamas resumed searches on Wednesday for the remains of slain Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in the Gaza Strip.

The renewed searches took place as armed clashes continued in the territory. A Palestinian militia group said Wednesday that it had killed two Hamas operatives in southern Gaza, marking another challenge to the terror group.

The searches for Gvili’s body are the first to occur in almost a month, and come nearly three months after Hamas committed to releasing all the remaining 48 hostages, living and dead, within the first 72 hours of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10, 2025. So far, 47 have been returned.

Mediators have stated that the ceasefire agreement also mandated the reopening of the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt. But Israeli officials told Hebrew media that they won’t reopen the crossing in both directions until Hamas returns Gvili’s body, and that the US endorses that stance.

Israel has previously floated opening the........

© The Times of Israel