By Matthew Doran and Sami Sockol, ABC
Photo: AFP / MAJDI FATHI
After the body of 24-year-old Rani Gvili was returned to Israel from Gaza this week, no hostages from the October 7 massacre remain in the territory after two-and-a-half years.
Returning all of the hostages was a significant objective of the Netanyahu government in order to bring an end to the war.
It is a big moment, but also one that raises questions about where to from here.
Uncertainty remains about the future of the strip, including who will oversee its administration, while sticking points remain on key issues such as Hamas's disarmament and the withdrawal of Israel Defence Force assets.
Has the war stopped?
Earlier this month, the White House announced the fragile truce in Gaza had entered its next phase, three months after it was first agreed to by Israel and Hamas. Both sides have accused the other of repeatedly violating the deal.
Since it came into force on October 10 last year, Palestinian health authorities say 488 people have been killed in Gaza and 1350 have been injured as a result of Israeli attacks.
In the same period, four Israeli soldiers were killed by Hamas, and the Israeli government had insisted it would not advance the deal until Hamas had returned the bodies of all its hostages.
That is a process which ended on Monday, with the discovery of the remains of Gvili, a police officer, in a cemetery in the east of Gaza City.
Who's driving the next phase?
At the World Economic Forum
Continue Reading on RNZ
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.