Search for body of last hostage held by Hamas in Gaza is delayed due to bad weather

Tel Aviv, Israel — The search for the body of the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza has been temporarily suspended due to severe weather conditions, including heavy rains, an Israeli official has told NPR. The official, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to the media, stated that search operations are currently on hold in the northern Gaza Strip.

The official indicated that the search is expected to resume as soon as the weather improves and ground conditions become more favorable.

The implementation of phase two of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement is contingent on Hamas transferring Gvili's body to Israeli authorities. This second phase includes Hamas disarming and the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza.

Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old member of an elite police unit, was killed while attempting to help people escape the Nova music festival. His body remains the last Israeli hostage in Hamas's custody.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an advocacy group that has been working for the return of hostages since the beginning of the conflict, confirmed to NPR that search operations are currently not possible due to the adverse weather conditions.

While the Israeli military has not confirmed the delays in the search for Gvili's body, it has urged Hamas to uphold its commitments under the agreement.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassim, speaking from Gaza, described the search efforts as "very complicated."

Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the initial terms of the ceasefire agreement. Since the ceasefire was reached in October, Israeli strikes on Gaza have reportedly killed over 380 Palestinians, according to local health officials.

Earlier this month, the Israeli military assassinated a high-ranking Hamas leader, claiming he was the second-in-command of the group's military wing. Hamas condemned the assassination as a violation of the ceasefire.

Meanwhile, heavy rains have caused significant problems for displaced Palestinians, flooding thousands of tents used as shelters.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has appealed to the Israeli military to allow more aid to enter Gaza.

"With heavy rain and cold brought in by Storm Byron, people in the Gaza Strip are freezing to death," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He also noted that waterlogged building ruins were collapsing.

Gaza civil defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal reported that numerous Palestinians have been killed as a result of building collapses. "These buildings are a major nightmare in Gaza and threaten the lives of thousands of people," Basal told NPR.

Itay Stern contributed to this report from Tel Aviv. Abu Bakr Bashir contributed from the United Kingdom. Ahmed Abuhamda contributed from Cairo.