Israeli forces have detained a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorist believed to be involved in the abduction and handling of the remains of Staff Sgt. Maj. Ran Gvili, the final Israeli hostage still unreturned from Gaza, as part of stepped-up efforts to locate and recover his body, according to a Saudi media report.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Asharq Al-Awsat reported that the suspect was seized during a covert Israeli activity in central Gaza City, near Palestine Square, an area Israeli intelligence has linked to Gvili\u2019s case. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the report, Army Radio said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Israeli officials view the detention as part of a broader pressure campaign directed at Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad amid a stalled ceasefire process. Israeli security assessments hold both groups responsible for the whereabouts of\u00a0Gvili\u2019s\u00a0remains\u00a0and\u00a0maintain\u00a0that they\u00a0possess\u00a0sufficient information to enable recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHamas and the PIJ know where\u00a0Gvili\u2019s\u00a0remains\u00a0are\u00a0located, and\u00a0have the ability to\u00a0find them. The problem is they are not motivated to do so,\u201d a security source told Maariv earlier this month. \u201cWe believe they can put in more effort.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to the Saudi report, the detained PIJ member was among individuals Israel previously\u00a0identified\u00a0to Egyptian mediators as having played a role in the October 7 abduction and the\u00a0subsequent\u00a0holding of\u00a0Gvili\u2019s\u00a0remains. Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed those details.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, Hamas, working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, carried out searches in Gaza City\u2019s Zeitoun neighborhood, an area believed by Israeli officials to be connected to the case. Those efforts were\u00a0temporarily suspended\u00a0due to severe weather caused by Storm Byron.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Israeli officials say the failure to return\u00a0Gvili\u2019s\u00a0remains\u00a0has directly contributed to the current deadlock in ceasefire discussions. One security source warned that the impasse carries immediate consequences for Hamas. \u201cWe are applying\u00a0very strong\u00a0and clear pressure. Until\u00a0Gvili\u2019s\u00a0remains\u00a0are returned, there will be no progress. Everyone knows we are in an interim situation,\u201d the source told Maariv.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The same official said Hamas would receive no benefits tied to Gaza\u2019s rehabilitation while the issue\u00a0remains\u00a0unresolved. \u201cThis stage also has disadvantages for Hamas, as they will not receive anything that will allow the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip. There will be no concrete, no concrete mixers, no discussion of a new Yellow Line, no opening of the Rafah border crossing \u2014 and more!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gvili\u00a0was killed during the October 7 assault, and Israeli officials have reiterated that the return of all hostages and\u00a0remains\u00a0is a central condition for any future arrangements involving Gaza.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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