The fate of Gaza, and indeed the broader peace efforts, currently hinges on the return of a single individual: Ran Gvili. After more than 800 days of unimaginable suffering, Ran remains the last Israeli hostage held in the Strip since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. This situation, while a testament to the will of the Israeli people in securing the release of 250 others, brings little comfort to his mother, Talik Gvili, 55, who described her feelings to the Daily Mail as "helplessness," "fear," and "anticipation"—a mix of all the worst emotions.

In a desperate bid for his freedom, Talik and her husband Itzik, 61, recently traveled to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. There, they met with the former US President and Benjamin Netanyahu, urging them to prioritize their son's return as the paramount condition in Gaza, in line with the established peace plan. While public discussions revolved around potential strikes on Iran and "wiping out" Hamas, Ran's parents steadfastly reminded the leaders of their son's crucial role. President Trump, in response, vowed to "bring Ran home."

Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old elite police officer, bravely ran towards danger from his home during the October 7 atrocity. Israeli officials, tragically, believe him to be dead. He is believed to have been shot in the hand and foot before being kidnapped unconscious on a motorbike into Gaza, specifically to Zeithoun, southeast of Gaza City.

The urgency of Ran's return is tied directly to the broader diplomatic framework. Under the first stage of Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan, which came into force on October 10, all 48 hostages were meant to be immediately returned. While 20 living hostages were freed, the return of 28 deceased individuals was stalled, with terrorists claiming many could not be found. Talik Gvili remains resolute, stating, "We can’t move on to phase two of the deal until he’s brought home." The fear of the world progressing without Ran's return is a profound agony for her. The fragile ceasefire teeters on a knife edge, with Trump threatening "hell to pay" if Hamas refuses to disarm—another key obstacle to moving beyond 'phase one'. An Israeli official underscored the critical nature of Ran's return, unequivocally stating to the Mail that "there will be no second phase" if he is not brought back.

Despite the grim circumstances, Ms. Gvili clings to the hope of a miracle, believing her "amazing, unique boy," who cared for children with learning difficulties and was a talented guitarist, might have somehow survived. "We want to believe that there is even a 0.0001 per cent chance—a hope that maybe just maybe he is still alive," she expressed, while acknowledging the harsh reality: "We also have our feet on the ground and understand that there is a problem. We just really hope they will find him and bring him back."

A significant complication is that Ran Gvili is reportedly held not by Hamas, but by another terror group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This group has chillingly declared, "The issue of the hostages has been closed." Talik Gvili, however, dismisses this, asserting, "I think they know exactly where he is. It’s very clear to me. They are playing with us to buy time or they have some other trick they are trying to pull. I don’t believe them."

For over 800 days, Israelis have consistently rallied to pressure both their own government and the international community. These efforts have successfully led to the return of 250 of the 251 hostages taken on October 7, as well as four others held for ten years. "After more than two years, we have gone from 255 hostages to just one: the brave hero Ran Gvili," announced a spokesperson for the Hostages and Missing Person Forum, which has spearheaded these efforts, adding, "We will not leave Ran behind. We will exert every possible effort to ensure his return."

Ran's parents, Itzik and Talik, along with his siblings Omri, 29, and Shira, 24, have tirelessly campaigned for his release. Talik Gvili finds solace and understanding from fellow hostage families, "the only people in the world that can understand." Her fervent hope is that her torment will soon conclude, as theirs have. Until then, her heartfelt plea resonates: "Please, keep saying his name."