Hamas Expresses Readiness to Find Last Hostage’s Remains: "Ran Gvili" Case Hinders Peace Transition

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, that the movement is ready to cooperate with mediators to locate the remains of the final Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili (24). Qassem claimed that Hamas has provided all available data but accused Israel of obstructing search efforts in areas behind the "Yellow Line," allegedly using the missing body as a pretext to delay the obligations of the October 2025 Peace Agreement.

Under the U.S.-brokered deal, Hamas has released the last 20 living hostages and returned 27 out of 28 remains. Gvili, a member of the elite "Yasam" patrol unit killed on October 7, 2023, remains the only one missing. While Israel suspects stalling tactics, Hamas attributes the delay to the massive debris from two years of intense conflict, making the recovery process extremely difficult.