‘The first to go out, the last to return’ – Funeral held for Ran Gvili

“Rani, my love,” his mother said, “because of you we remembered that despite all our disagreements, we are one nation.”

By World Israel News Staff

After 843 days of waiting, hoping, praying, and refusing to let go, Israel finally brought home its last hostage from Gaza.

In Ran Gvili’s hometown of Meitar, thousands gathered in quiet grief to accompany the Hero of Israel on his final journey, as one of the most painful chapters in the nation’s history reached its close.

Ran’s family departed Meitar for Camp Shura in Ramla under a police escort of honor. Motorcycle units from the national traffic division, patrol cars, and Southern District officers formed a long, silent convoy that moved along Highway 60, continued on Highway 6, and then Highway 431.

Israelis lined bridges and roadsides, flags in hand, tears visible from afar. This was not merely a funeral. It was a national moment of reckoning.

Ran Gvili was among the first to go out on October 7, 2023. He was the last to return.

The first to speak was his mother, Talik. “The first to go out and the last to return,” she said, thanking the crowds for their support and steadfast presence. She imagined Ran above, seated with heroes and innocents who were murdered, telling them they had to listen to her eulogy because it would be good, because it would be special. She pictured them together as heroes of renewal.

She told her son that the hope he would return was what gave the family the strength to survive the long months without him. Smiling through tears, she imagined Ran teasing her for being embarrassing, for speaking with such pride, but she insisted that pride was all she had.

For more than two years, she said, they spoke about him endlessly until he became everyone’s child, known not only across Israel but around the world. Every eulogy for another fallen soldier reminded her of him, of the spirit, of the Golani fighter and proud policeman who loved his country.

Talik recalled a moment when Ran came home and told her people had spat on him. “They don’t understand,” he said. “I am them and they are me. I’m just a policeman doing my job.”

In that instant, she said, she understood her mission: to prove that Israel is one strong people, united, and here to stay. “Rani, my love,” she said, “because of you we remembered that despite all our disagreements, we are one nation.”

Her words hardened with resolve as she spoke of finishing the mission against Hamas and Islamic Jihad. “You tried to destroy us,” she said. “Look what remains of you.” She ended simply, standing tall. “I am Talik Gvili, a very, very proud mother.”

Ran’s father, Itzik, spoke next, his voice breaking. “Rani, I always speak from the heart,” he said. Seeing the thousands gathered, he said it was impossible to grasp how many people had come because of what Ran did, because of the lives he saved and the unity he created.

“Every day we discover something new about you,” he said. Only hours earlier, the family had received Ran at Camp Shura, opened the coffin, and touched him. “Even after two and a half years,” he said, “you were completely whole.”

His brother Omri followed. “I am proud to be your big brother,” he said. “Today I can say that our lives can continue.” For the first time, he said, they had finally crossed the date of October 7. He called Ran by the nickname only he used, his little brother, even though everyone knew Ran was the big one.

He spoke of a bond beyond words, of growing up together and growing from one another. He recalled their final conversation at 10:45 that morning, when he remarked that the country was burning while Ran was home sick. Ran replied calmly, “Omri, I’m in the middle of a firefight. Is it urgent?”

President Isaac Herzog addressed the family and the crowd, calling the moment sacred and heartbreaking as Ran, the last hostage, was finally returned to the land of home. Speaking on behalf of the State of Israel, he asked forgiveness for not being there for Ran and for the long, agonizing wait imposed on his family and so many others.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke directly to the Gvili family, saying his soul had become bound with theirs. He recalled their many conversations and meetings, including a recent, emotional encounter with President Donald Trump in Florida, where he witnessed firsthand the love of parents and siblings.

Netanyahu said the moment marked the end of the painful reality of hostages held in Gaza. All had now been returned from enemy territory. He described watching Israeli soldiers inside Gaza days earlier as the final mission was completed. When Ran was identified, the soldiers broke into song, singing “Hatikvah” and “Ani Ma’amin” (“We Believe”). “If we had not believed,” he said, “we would not have found him.”

He recounted Ran’s actions on October 7. Despite a wounded shoulder, Ran armed himself and ran into the inferno. He defended Kibbutz Alumim, saved many lives, and killed 14 terrorists. Shot and wounded twice, he fought until his last bullet. “His combat,” Netanyahu said, “will be remembered for generations.”

Among the speakers were Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef, Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Police Commissioner Daniel Levi, Meitar Council head Shimon Peretz, and U.S. antisemitism envoy Leo Terrell.

Psalms were recited and the Kaddish was said. As the ceremony concluded, performer and IDF reservist Idan Amedi sang “Nigmar,” “Final,” a fitting farewell.

As the crowd slowly dispersed, Israel exhaled a breath it had been holding for 843 days. One of the darkest chapters in its history closed as the final victim of the October 7 massacre was brought home.

The first to go out.

The last to return.

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