Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israel has been permanently reshaped, impacting families, communities, and the entire country. Thousands went into mourning, thousands more waited for their family members to come home, and thousands learned how to live with this missing piece that remains unfilled as the news outlets began to move on. Twelve hundred civilians murdered, 1,110 soldiers killed, 796 days passed, five hostage deals, and four fragile ceasefires. One thing remained clear; every name, every life, every person that was taken into Gaza had a story, one that mattered, one that impacted the way they were constantly mentioned with their families calling for their return. And now, one hostage remains. This single person is the missing piece to a puzzle in the hearts of the Israeli people, which has been slowly pieced back together, though it has been broken for so long.
The October 7 war is often remembered in numbers, but these are just the statistics, and behind each one was a person: someone with a family, a future, a story that was so abruptly interrupted. Over these last few months, the country experienced a painful cycle of waiting for updates, for names, for any sign of the possible return of a hostage. Eventually, the hostages began being freed in stages, reunions occurred, and each release felt like a light seeping through a dark room, like a new day had finally arrived and the darkness was no more. But every celebration had one person missing. The question is: Who?
Ran Gvili, 24 years old, was an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Staff-Sergeant Major. On the day of October 7, Gvili had been placed on medical leave from the army after sustaining an injury to his arm, and though out of his role, he got up and fought. He was at home in his Kibbutz when he was informed that Hamas terrorists had infiltrated Israeli borders and were attacking partygoers at the Nova Music Festival. Instead of sitting back because of his medical leave, he headed straight for the venue grounds along with other men from the same unit he was in. Though he tried, he wasn’t able to get there. Instead, he was shot in the leg and arm by the terrorists in Kibbutz Alumim, and from there he was taken hostage in Gaza. He has yet to be found and is the last hostage that needs to be released.
As Israel begins discussing the beginning of phase two of the ceasefire deal, people cannot, and should not, forget the name Ran Gvili. Two years of war have reshaped the country. These passing years have marked changes that cannot be dismissed, redefined security, and reshuffled the people’s priorities. But they have also taught many something simple and human: people are not replaceable. Every hostage returned over the past two years has reminded the people that the value of one life cannot be measured. And the one still missing is the final reminder of how incomplete they were.
Until he comes home, the story of October 7 is not over. The last piece is still missing in our hearts.
