After 843 Days, Israel's Last Hostage Returns Home

For 843 days, a digital stopwatch in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square counted every painful minute since 251 Israelis were taken hostage on October 7, 2023. This week, that clock finally stopped.

The moment came after the remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage, were returned to Israel for burial. Hundreds gathered in silence to watch the numbers freeze, then erupted in applause as the reality sank in.

"Rani is here with us. Not in the way we wished and prayed for, but he is here," said Shira Gvili, Ran's sister, addressing the crowd. "Now we can finally pause this clock, and we can start to breathe, to heal, and to mourn."

The campaign to bring everyone home united a nation. Week after week, Israelis wore yellow pins and demonstrated at the square, supporting families who refused to give up. Their slogan was "until the last one," and they kept that promise.

Dr. Hagai Levin, who led the Hostages Families Forum's health team, called the moment surreal. "I'm still checking my pulse to see that it is real," he told reporters. "It was my obligation to believe that it was possible and my duty to give the families hope."

Why This Inspires

The stopping of the clock represents more than statistics. It shows what sustained hope and community solidarity can achieve, even through the darkest chapters.

Across Israel, people removed their yellow pins and shared the moment on social media. "October 7 is over," one viral post declared. "Now October 8 can finally begin."

The timing held special meaning, falling on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. For many, it reinforced the promise of "never again" while honoring those who didn't survive.

Lee Seigel, whose brother Keith returned after 484 days in captivity, expressed mixed emotions. His relief was overwhelming, but he acknowledged the journey took too long. Still, he found hope in closure: "I need tomorrow to be a much better day."

For the first time since 2014, no Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. That milestone offers a nation the chance to finally begin healing together.