Weep in joy, in heartbreak, in gratitude, in grief

Ran Gvilli z"l is on his way home.

The IDF recovered his body in a cemetery in eastern Gaza City. He has been positively identified, and his family has been informed that he is on his way home, for burial.

I think every Israeli and Jew in the world is flooded with feelings.

We are so grateful that he has been found and his family has closure.

With his return, there are no more Israeli hostages, alive or dead, left in Gaza.

Which means, that this part of this fever-dream we have been living since October 7th- the sleepless nights, the advocacy, the heartbreak, the wondering- when will they all be home?

This small part, this chapter, is over.

Seeing this news makes me want to weep.

Weep in joy, in heartbreak, in gratitude, in grief.

Thank you to the IDF for never giving up.

For bringing them all home.

I know that this storied moment in history isn't over.

We are waiting, day by day, for the next part to begin.

The next war, the next struggle, the next step toward a more free Middle East.

A more peaceful region.

A new reality where we all can live in shalom.

It's not over yet. We have much more to traverse.

But at this moment, my heart feels a little door beginning to close.

This hostage saga will go on for decades to come- as we reckon with what has happened to our people.

But this part- the waiting- will be over as soon as Ran is brought to his final resting place, in his land, among his people.

May his family and our entire nation be comforted among the mourners of Zion.