Trump Claims Credit As Israel Recovers Body Of Last Hostage In Gaza: 'My Great Team Of Champions'

Last Updated:January 27, 2026, 08:01 IST

Israel announced it had recovered the body of Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks whose remains had been taken to Gaza. 

Israel had made the return of all hostages- both living and dead- a precondition for progress on the Gaza ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump took credit for the recovery of the remains of the final deceased Israeli hostage held in Gaza, hailing it as an achievement many believed impossible. The Israeli military earlier announced it had recovered the body of Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks whose remains had been taken to Gaza.

“Just recovered the last Hostage body in GAZA. Thus, got back ALL 20 of the living Hostages, and ALL of the Dead! AMAZING JOB!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding, “Congratulations to my great team of Champions!!!"

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the message, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Incredible news. President Trump made this possible."

The Israel Defense Forces said Ran Gvili’s remains were identified through a forensic process involving Israel’s National Center of Forensic Medicine, police and the military rabbinate. His family was notified following the confirmation. Ran Gvili was posthumously promoted to the rank of first sergeant, according to the Israeli government.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the recovery brought closure to a grieving nation, adding, “An entire people prayed and waited for this moment and now the circle is closed."

Israel had made the return of all hostages- both living and dead- a precondition for progress on the Gaza ceasefire, including the opening of the Rafah crossing and advancement to the second phase of the peace plan. The last 20 living hostages were released in mid-October.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the recovery as an “outstanding accomplishment by the state of Israel."

“We promised to bring everyone home, and we returned them all, until the last of them," Netanyahu said, adding, “Ran is a hero- he went in first and got out last and now he is on his way home."

Hamas said the return of Ran Gvili’s remains demonstrated its “complete commitment" to the first phase of the ceasefire, while calling on Israel to fully implement all terms of the agreement without delay.

News world Trump Claims Credit As Israel Recovers Body Of Last Hostage In Gaza: 'My Great Team Of Champions'

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