Israel brings home the remains of the last hostage in Gaza

Israel brought home the remains of the last hostage in Gaza Monday, closing a painful chapter for the country and clearing the way for the next and more challenging phase of its ceasefire with Hamas - unhindered humanitarian access into Gaza.

A mini van with remains of last hostage Ran Gvili recovered from Gaza arriving in Tel Aviv, police officers saluting. The coffin covered by an Israeli flag is taken out of the mini van for forensic tests.

Relatives waited for the return of his remains to their family home Monday evening.

Gvili's mother thanked all those that helped and supported saying "Rani has returned home, a hero of Israel, truly a hero of Israel, and we are the proudest of him in the world. Thank you."

His father said "if you asked Rani how he would have wanted to go, this is the way, and this is the honour. He saved the people of Israel, he saved the gathering of nations, he saved everyone, and now we have given him the honour he truly deserves from all the people of Israel. He unites the people of Israel."

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Gvili a hero and thanked the forces who brought his remains back.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We said we'll bring him back. He was the first to come in, he's the last to leave. A hero of Israel - Rani is back. There are no more hostages in Gaza. Tremendous achievement for our heroic forces, our soldiers, our commanders. None like them."

At the United Nations daily briefing Monday the spokesperson extended condolences to the family of the police officer and urged the next phase of the ceasefire to be implemented, the unhindered humanitarian access in Gaza.

Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric said: "As you recall, from day one, the Secretary-General and the rest of the UN leadership had been calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all those being held as hostages in Gaza. The Secretary-General urges all parties to move forward in good faith, and without delay with subsequent phases, facilitate sustained and unhindered humanitarian access, including through the Rafah crossing, and uphold international humanitarian law. The United Nations will continue to support the full implementation of the agreement."