Wait. If you’re looking for a simple calendar with dates and times for the next flight home from Gaza, I have to be honest: it doesn't exist. Not anymore.
The reality on the ground in early 2026 is messy. We’ve moved past the days of those high-stakes, nightly televised releases we saw back in late 2023 or even the structured phases of early 2025. Right now, as of January 17, 2026, the question isn’t about "when the next group" is coming out.
It’s about the last one.
Specifically, it's about Ran Gvili. If you follow the news closely, you know that name. He’s the final piece of a heartbreaking puzzle that has kept the region on edge for over two years.
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The Phase Two Pivot
Everything changed this week. On January 14, 2026, Steve Witkoff—the U.S. Special Envoy—basically declared that the first phase of the "20-Point Plan" is over. He moved the goalposts into Phase Two. This new stage is supposed to be about rebuilding, demilitarizing, and setting up a new technocratic government led by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath.
But there’s a massive, glaring problem.
Hamas was supposed to return every single person—living or dead—before this phase started. They haven't. They are still holding the remains of Ran Gvili, a member of an elite Israeli police unit who was killed on October 7, 2023.
So, when are the next hostages being released? Honestly, the "release" phase for living hostages is technically complete. Under the Trump-brokered deal that took effect in October 2025, the last 20 living hostages were already repatriated. What we are waiting on now is the return of the deceased.
Why the delay for Ran Gvili?
You might wonder why one body is holding up a multi-billion dollar reconstruction plan. It sounds absurd, but it’s the ultimate leverage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been very clear with Gvili’s parents, Tali and Itzik: his return is the top priority. Israel isn't willing to fully pull back to the "yellow line" (the new border buffer zones) or reopen the Rafah crossing until he’s home.
The intelligence suggests a group within Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) knows exactly where he is. Hamas says they’re looking. Israel says Hamas is stalling. It’s a classic deadlock.
- Hostages Returned Alive (Total): 168
- Hostages Returned Deceased (Total): 83
- Missing/Held: 1 (Ran Gvili)
The "All Hell to Pay" Context
We can't talk about these releases without mentioning the sheer pressure coming from Washington. Last year, the rhetoric was dialed up to eleven. There was an ultimatum that if all hostages weren't out by a specific deadline in February 2025, "all hell" would break out.
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That pressure actually worked for a while. It forced the release of people like Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Keith Siegel.
But now, the leverage is different. The U.S. is threatening "serious consequences" if the final remains aren't handed over immediately. Does that mean more strikes? More sanctions? Nobody is quite sure yet, but the tone in the White House is definitely "patience has run out."
What happens if the deal breaks?
Kinda scary to think about, but the ceasefire is fragile. While the major fighting has stopped, there have been over 78 violations since October. Just a few days ago, on January 13, there was a firefight in Rafah involving an Israeli tank.
If Hamas doesn't produce Gvili's remains, the "Board of Peace"—that’s the American-led oversight committee—might stall the $70 billion reconstruction fund.
Think about that. $70 billion is waiting to rebuild Gaza, but it’s all stuck behind the return of one man.
The Human Side of the "Next Release"
For the families who already got their loved ones back, the nightmare is "over" in a physical sense, but the trauma is everywhere. People like Alexander Troufanov or Sagui Dekel-Chen are back, but they returned to a world that looks nothing like the one they left in 2023.
For the Gvili family, the "next release" is the only thing that matters. They are living in a permanent state of "almost."
Actionable Insights for Following the News
If you’re trying to track when the final return might happen, stop looking for "groups." Look for these specific signals instead:
- Rafah Crossing Status: If the Rafah crossing suddenly reopens for commercial goods, it’s a massive sign that a deal for Gvili has been reached.
- The "Yellow Line" Movement: Watch for reports of the IDF withdrawing further. They won't do it until the hostage file is closed.
- Ali Shaath’s Travel: The head of the new technocratic committee is supposed to meet in Egypt. If that meeting gets canceled or delayed, it means the hostage negotiations have hit a wall.
- Board of Peace Appointments: The names of the people on this board haven't been released yet. Once they are, it signals the transition is officially moving forward, likely meaning the hostage issue is resolved behind the scenes.
Basically, the era of the "next hostage release" as a recurring event is over. We are in the end-game. It’s a high-stakes standoff where the return of one hero is the only thing standing between a permanent ceasefire and a return to total chaos.
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To stay updated, keep an eye on the official X (formerly Twitter) accounts of the Israeli PM’s office and Steve Witkoff. That’s where the first confirmation will drop. Until Ran Gvili is home, the "Gaza Peace Plan" is effectively on life support.