by Pesach Benson
Crowds are already lining the route from central Israel to the Gvili’s hometown of Meitar in the Negev.
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The coffin containing St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held in Gaza, arrived in his Negev hometown of Meitar for burial on Wednesday afternoon after thousands of people had lined the roads of southern Israel as he was en route.
At the funeral, Talik, Rani’s mother, began the eulogies by speaking about her son. She started by expressing her gratitude to everyone involved in the effort to bring her son and the other hostages home.
"A little after he was kidnapped, they invited all the families of the hostages to a meeting in Ra’anana. It was a rainy day, the sun peeked out, and in the distance appeared a huge, immense, full cloud. My father and I drove right into the arch that accompanied us until we entered it, and then it disappeared. I felt this was a sign from you."
"I just wanted to tell you, my beloved, that the hope you would return to us on two feet, or even one, is what kept me going," she continued. "Since that cursed day, every time a tear wells up, I remember you whispering to me: 'My proud mother.'" She added, "The first to leave, the last to return. Rani, I imagine you in the grandstand above with all those who risked their lives. I see all of you with a glass of arak, everyone is a hero."
The mother said her final farewell with tears and a broken voice: "You became everyone's child, and you're known around the world. Over these two years, I heard eulogies for the fighters, and everyone mentioned you. A proud Golani soldier, a proud policeman who loved his country. Much thanks to you, despite disagreements and opinions, we are one people. The hugs from all sides are immense. 700 soldiers searched for you and found you. This is unity. We are still on a mission to eliminate the terrorists."
His father, Itzik, continued the eulogy: "Rani was the 250th body, and Rani in gematria equals 250. You’re arranging everything for us from above. Even the military plot at the cemetery was finished being renovated just a few days ago, in your honor. You are everyone’s child, and I’m so proud to be your father. I miss you every second, every minute. We miss you."
His older brother, Omri, also spoke: "My little brother, but so big. I’m so proud to have grown up with you, to have raised you, and to have grown from you. We shared a friendship and love that went beyond everything, with incredible intensity. We loved doing all the unique things that were ours."
"I remember the cursed day and our last conversation," the brother continued. "I tried to joke with you, and you calmly said: 'I'm in an encounter, I'll talk to you later. Let me finish.' And to this day, I’m still waiting for that call," he said, in pain. "Today, my hero brother came home. I want you to understand, the pride here isn’t just familial, it’s for all our people. And I wish everyone would be like Rani." The brother finished and thanked everyone.
His sister-in-law, Sharon, eulogized him in tears: "Thousands of people came out, cheered, and rejoiced that you were finally brought back. When we were told they had found you, the date updated for me for the first time since that black Saturday." She continued: "I’m proud of you for who you are and the pride you bring to the whole family. Proud that you stood strong against the hell, eliminated terrorists, defended the homeland, and fought until the last second. I admit that I prayed for a different ending, but if I have to end life at 24, then only this way."
"Your heroic story will be told for generations," Sharon concluded. "I’m sure you’ll watch over us from above, the circle is closed. Rest in peace."
Rani’s sister, Shira, also came up to eulogize, "My best friend. I just can't believe you're here. When Mom told me after October 7th that it would take time until you returned, I didn’t believe it would take 843 days. Rani, there's not a minute that I don't think about what would have happened if I had fought with you to stay home. I knew that morning it would be the last time I saw you."
"Rani, the schnitzel doesn’t taste the same to me anymore," she continued, tearfully. "All I have left are memories, and every memory feels like an arrow to the heart. Every motorcycle that passes brings me two years back. Who will call me Shirosh? Who will protect me from harm? In the last two years, I lost you, and then I lost myself. At the previous ceremony, I promised you that I chose life, and now look, I promise you, I chose life."
"When I flew to America, I had one goal – to bring you home," the sister continued. "I did everything to bring you back. I spoke, I traveled, I talked, I fought. Now, let me remove the title of 'sister of a captive' and go back to being simply Rani's sister. I ask that you always appear in my dreams." At the end of the eulogy, the sister played a recording of Rani, where he told her, "Everything is fine," and she said that is how she will remember him.
Gvili, as a member of Yasam, an elite police unit, was at a hospital waiting to undergo surgery for a broken shoulder on the morning of October 7, 2023, when he learned of Hamas’s attack on southern Israel. He rushed home, put on his uniform, and joined other personnel heading to Kibbutz Alumim.
Gvili is credited with rescuing around 100 people who fled the nearby Nova Music Festival, and with killing 14 Hamas terrorists. The last word heard from Gvili was when he texted a friend saying he had been shot in the leg.
The military declared Gvili dead based on intelligence in January 2024.
Gvili’s remains were found in Gaza City cemetery
Gvili’s remains were found in a cemetery in Gaza City and brought back to Israel on Monday. According to military assessments, Palestinian Islamic Jihad likely buried Gvili with other terrorists, not realizing who he was.
Gvili, an avid guitarist, motorcyclist, and amateur carpenter, is survived by his parents, Itzik and Tali, and a brother and a sister.
Around 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
This is a developing story.
Pesach Benson
Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-884801
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