The sister of the last Israeli hostage believed to be held in Gaza has shared the intense emotional turmoil her family has endured since the October 7 attack in 2023. Shira Gvili, sister of slain Master Sgt. Ran “Rani” Gvili, expressed her anguish over the uncertainty regarding his remains, which are thought to be held by Hamas. Speaking to The Post from New York, where she addressed the United Nations, Shira described the pain of not knowing if her brother is alive.
The recent attack during a Hanukkah event in Bondi Beach, Australia, which resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, has compounded her family’s suffering. “Seeing those images brought back thoughts of Oct. 7,” Shira said. The 24-year-old, who is the same age as her brother at the time of his presumed death, expressed her heartbreak upon seeing the news. “I have many friends who live there, so I started to send messages to all [of them]. I couldn’t calm down until they all responded.”
Shira Gvili’s experience has been a painful reminder of the rising antisemitism following the attacks. “We don’t deserve that. Because Jews, we celebrate life, we honor life. We deserve to live in peace and in quiet,” she stated. Her comments reflect a broader concern among Jewish communities worldwide about safety and security in the wake of violence.
In recounting her brother’s final moments, Shira described the harrowing memory of the last image they have of him being taken away on a motorbike, with the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza visible in the background. Israeli officials have indicated that Ran died during the attack, and his remains, along with those of others, were taken by terrorists. Despite this, the absence of concrete evidence of his death leaves his family in a state of painful uncertainty.
The importance of recovering Ran’s remains has been underscored by the upcoming talks between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29, 2023. While authorities have stated that all but Ran’s remains have been returned to Israel, his family believes that his return is a crucial step toward any potential peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas has claimed it does not know the location of Ran’s remains. Recent storms in Gaza have further complicated the search for his captors. Shira’s family, presented with no definitive proof of his death, continues to hold onto the hope that he may still be alive.
Shira shared personal photographs of her and Ran, showcasing a close sibling bond filled with joy and laughter. The two were raised by their parents, Talik, a lawyer, and Itzik, a project manager, who often relied on their children to support one another. Shira emphasized their closeness, saying, “He raised me. We are good siblings, very close siblings. He always helped me growing up.”
On the day of the attack, Ran was scheduled for surgery due to a motorcycle accident but chose to join his fellow officers in defense of his homeland. “He told my mom that he can’t let them go without him,” Shira recalled. “So he went to his unit, put his uniform on, and fought. And in the middle of the morning, he was fighting alone against a thousand terrorists, and he got kidnapped.”
Shira insists that the return of her brother must be prioritized, calling him a “symbol of bravery and heroism.” She believes it is essential for Israel to keep symbols of heroism close, stating, “Rani is a symbol, and we cannot allow leaving him there. We need to keep him safe in Israel.”
As her family prepares to face another Hanukkah without Ran, they also anticipate a family milestone—the birthday of their grandfather on December 31. Shira remarked, “Rani would never miss any of his birthdays.” The emotional weight of their circumstances continues to bear down on the family as they await any news about their beloved son and brother.
