Itzik Gvili, father of the last Israeli hostage still held in Gaza, spoke a rally in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, on Saturday night, affirming his view that there is no moving forward until the remaining murdered hostages are home.
St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak's remains are still being held in the Gaza Strip.
Saturday's rally is likely the final occurrence of the weekly protests, reports earlier in November indicated.
"Now the goal is to bring our Ran home," Gvili said, adding that he "appeals to the mediators to clarify that there is no next stage and no 'day after' in Gaza before Ran is home."
"Hamas says it is searching, but there is no progress. They are playing and mocking us, and this must stop now," he added.
"I wish Ran could be standing here, and see you," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday met with the Gvili family to brief them on Israel’s efforts to bring him to burial in Israel.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu praised the Gvili family’s “dignified and steadfast” conduct and reiterated Israel’s commitment to return all hostages, living and deceased.
Who was Ran Gvili?
Gvili was killed in battle fighting infiltrating Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, after saving the lives of partygoers fleeing the Nova music festival in Re’im and defending Kibbutz Alumim from Hamas terrorists.
Despite still recovering from a broken shoulder sustained in a motorcycle accident, Gvili didn’t hesitate to put on his uniform and head to the Gaza border communities in southern Israel that morning.
Gvili and his comrades initially fought at Kibbutz Alumim before heading to the Sa’ad Junction, where they rescued survivors at the festival.
After evacuating survivors of the Nova massacre to safety, Gvili and his comrades returned to Alumim to continue the fight against the dozens of terrorists who attempted to conquer the kibbutz. Wounded and surrounded, Gvili was overpowered by Hamas terrorists and was subsequently murdered.
When he was reported missing after the massacre, his family launched the “Bring Ran Home” campaign, calling for his safe return.
For months, they held out hope that he was alive. However, on January 31, 2024, authorities confirmed that he had been killed on October 7 and that his body had been abducted to Gaza.
Since then, the Gvili family has been working for the release of his body for proper burial in Israel.
Shir Perets contributed to this report.