- January 28, 2026
- 2:37 pm
- Israel
January 28, 2026, Israel bid farewell to the last of the abducted, whose body was returned from the Gaza Strip. Ran Guili — one of the symbols of October 7, a policeman who went into battle knowing he had neither an order nor a chance to retreat.
Ran was 24 years old. He lived in the settlement of Meitar, served as a senior sergeant in the police, and was part of the special unit YASAM Negev of the Southern District. On the morning of October 7, he was on sick leave — after an accident with a shoulder fracture, awaiting surgery. Hearing about the Hamas terrorist attack, he put on his uniform, took his weapon, and went to join his comrades.
Ran engaged in battle with terrorists at the entrance to Kibbutz Alumim. Radio intercepts from that morning preserved his last words: he reported that he couldn’t raise his head due to the fire, that ammunition was running out, and that he had only a few bullets left. When the bullets ran out, Ran was killed.
His body was taken by terrorists to Gaza on a motorcycle. Later, Israeli media reported that the remains were found in a bag marked with the “Shifa” hospital label. In January 2024, 117 days after the abduction, the family was officially informed that Ran did not survive.
On the morning of January 28, a memorial ceremony was held at the Shura military base in Ramla with the participation of police units. The last honor guard took place there as well. Ran’s father, Itzik Guili, recited the Kaddish over the coffin and said a short phrase: “Here, your friends are taking you.” His mother, Talik, kissed the coffin, then went out to the people who came to support the family and embraced them.
After this, the police funeral procession headed to Meitar. Thousands of people stood along the roads, accompanying Ran on his final journey. Hundreds arrived directly at the funeral, which took place at the local community center. Police officers paid their last respects when the coffin arrived in the settlement.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of the State Isaac Herzog. It was not a formal participation — the state came to bid farewell to a man who alone made a choice for which the entire country is grateful today.
Ran’s mother, Talik Guili, said words at the farewell that many perceived as an address to all of Israel. She admitted that the hope for her son’s return — “on two legs or even on one” — gave the family the strength to live. And she added: thanks to Ran, the country remembered that despite disputes and disagreements, Israel remains one people.
She separately addressed the Hamas terrorists: you tried to intimidate the people of Israel — look at what remains of you. These words did not sound like revenge. Rather — as a conclusion.
Ran’s older brother, Omri Guili, said that today the family can take a step further for the first time. “We finally passed this date — October 7,” he said, addressing his brother and calling him by a personal nickname known only to the two of them. He spoke of friendship and love that are stronger than death.
Ran Guili was a man with ordinary hobbies: motorcycles, history, football. He supported “Hapoel Be’er Sheva,” served in the “Golani” brigade, suffered a knee injury during a non-combat accident, but returned and completed his service as a combat medic. After demobilization, he joined the police, in YASAM — where they are always the first to arrive.
Ran was buried in Meitar at 14:30. He left behind his parents, Itzik and Talik, his brother Omri, and his sister Shira.
With the return of Ran Guili’s body, there are no Israeli abductees left in Gaza — for the first time since Operation “Protective Edge” in 2014. This does not close the wound of October 7, but it concludes one of the most difficult chapters of this war.
Israel bids farewell to the last of the abducted — and remembers the name of the man who went into battle knowing he might not return. NNews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency
