No Gaza reconstruction until hostage body returned, Trump tells family

Father of the last hostage held in Gaza says President Trump promised that no reconstruction work will be done until Hamas has returned the body of Ran Gvili.

By World Israel News Staff

President Donald Trump vowed not to move forward with plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip until the remains of the last Israeli hostage held in the coastal enclave are returned, the hostage’s father said on Monday.

In an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Itzik Gvili discussed his meeting with President Donald Trump last week, as part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s delegation visiting Washington.

The Gvili family also met with Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and White House special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

During the meeting, Trump gave his word that the administration would hold back on plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip until after the body of Itzik’s son, Ran Gvili, is returned.

“It won’t happen until Rani is back,” Itzik quoted the president as saying.

Ran, a 24-year-old police officer, was killed while defending Kibbutz Alumim from invading Gaza terrorists on October 7th, 2023. His body was taken into captivity after he was murdered.

Following the return of the remains of a Thai worker on December 3rd, Ran Gvili became the sole remaining hostage held in Gaza.

Itzik called the visit to Washington “unbelievable,” telling the Hebrew daily that the president “welcomed us with warmth and love.”

According to Itzik, Trump said he would “bring your son home,” a sentiment which was echoed by both Witkoff and Kushner.

Trump “honored us in a way that is hard to explain,” Itzik continued.

Both Itzik and his wife said the US believes Hamas is doing its best to try to locate their son’s remains, though the couple remain skeptical. “Hamas is playing games,” Itzik said.

Itzik added that Trump also pledged that plans to rebuild Gaza would be frozen until Hamas is disarmed.

“Until Rani comes back, there will be no reconstruction in Gaza. That’s what he promised. Hamas must also disarm which probably won’t happen—but he said it. All of this must happen. If Rani doesn’t return, nothing will move forward. That was his promise.”