Covert Israeli forces on the Hamas-controlled side of the Gaza ceasefire line have reportedly detained a Palestinian Islamic Jihad operative linked to the abduction of slain police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage still being held in the Strip.

According to the Saudi-owned outlet Asharq al-Awsat, the unnamed operative is part of the al-Quds Brigades, PIJ’s armed wing, and was active in Gaza City’s eastern Zeitoun neighborhood, which is bisected by the ceasefire line.

Citing local sources and sources from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the Sunday report said that the operative was detained a few days ago about a kilometer (0.6 miles) west of the “Yellow Line,” in the Hamas-held part of Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces did not respond to a request for comment.

According to Asharq, the detained PIJ member’s name appeared in a document Israel gave to mediators in Cairo last month that listed operatives thought to be responsible for capturing and holding Gvili’s body. The precise nature of the operative’s alleged involvement in the abduction was unclear from the report.

Israeli officials cited by Hebrew media outlets have accused Islamic Jihad of holding on to Gvili’s remains, and have charged Hamas with failing to pressure its fellow terror group to release the body. Islamic Jihad claimed earlier this month that........

© The Times of Israel