US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff hails the beginning of a new era in the Middle East following the return of the remains of the last Israeli hostage in Gaza.
The remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili were returned to Israel on Monday, marking the return of all hostages, both living and deceased.
“Yesterday was a historic day,” Witkoff wrote a message on X. “Now ALL 20 living hostages and all 28 deceased hostages in Gaza have been returned to their families – a monumental, historic achievement that few thought was possible. It is thanks to the hard work of so many, but especially [the president]who works tirelessly for peace.”
“This closes a painful chapter for many and paves the way for a new future that can be defined by peace, not war, and prosperity, not destruction,” Witkoff added. “It is a new day in the Middle East, and President Trump, myself and the entire team are committed to lasting peace and prosperity for everyone in the region.”
ISRAEL CONFIRMS RECOVERY OF REMAINS OF LAST GAZA HOSTAGE
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff celebrated the return of Ran Gvili’s remains, saying it was a “new day in the Middle East.” (The Hostages and Missing Families Forum; Noam Galai/Getty Images)
The Hostages and Missing Families Foruman organization formed in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks to represent the families of those who were abducted, thanked Witkoff and reiterated his message, saying: “Without [the president] and his government, the hostages would never have come home.”
President Donald Trump celebrated the return of Gvili’s remains from Gaza with a post on Truth Social.
“Just recovered the last hostage body in GAZA. This is how I recovered ALL 20 living hostages, and ALL the dead! GREAT JOB! Most thought it was an impossible feat. Congratulations to my amazing team of champions!!!” Trump wrote.
People hold signs with a photo of Ran Gvili, who was killed fighting Hamas militants in the October 7, 2023, attack, during a rally calling for his return in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday, January 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
TRUMP WRITES MESSAGE TO ISRAELIANS AFTER ALL LIVE HOSTAGES RELEASED BY HAMAS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Trump as he addressed the Israeli parliament, known as the Knesset. He thanked Trump, Witkoff, Jared Kushner and their teams “for their significant and important support.”
Trump has previously made high-profile diplomatic moves in the Middle East. During his first administration, he brokered a series of normalization agreements known as the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.
Witkoff and Trump visited Israel in October on the day the last surviving hostages returned home from Gaza after more than two years of captivity. The Knesset received them and other members of the government with cheers of gratitude.
“No American president has ever done more for Israel,” Netanyahu said at the time. “It’s not even close.”
When the surviving hostages were released, Witkoff celebrated their return and recognized the pain of those whose loved ones would not make it home alive.
“Even in this moment of relief and happiness, my heart aches for those whose loved ones will not return alive. Bringing their bodies home is a must and an act of dignity and honors their memory forever,” Witkoff said. wrote on X.
A photo shows chairs and banners with a portrait of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in Gaza, the day after his remains were brought home by Israeli forces in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, on January 27, 2026. (Jack GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
On the morning of October 7, Gvili was said to be at home, waiting for surgery on his broken shoulder, which he suffered in a motorcycle accident. However, when rocket sirens sounded, Gvili, who was 24 at the time, grabbed his uniform and went to fight. He fought alongside fellow officers and was eventually killed near Kibbutz Alumim. His body was taken to Gaza, where it was held for more than 840 days.
“My Ran never hesitated when evil came knocking… That’s who my son was,” she said on October 7 about her son’s actions.
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“I promise you, my Ran, that your story will be heard around the world. Everyone will know what you did, how you fought and how you never gave up.”
