The Israeli police announced the death of a policeman in the October 7 Hamas attack and said that his body is being held by Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip, AFP reports.

“Ran Gvili is no longer alive […] he was killed fighting against the enemy in the battle of (kibbutz) Alumim on October 7,” the force said in a statement.

“His body was kidnapped and is being held by a terrorist organisation.”

Gvili’s death brings to 29 the number of dead hostages whose bodies remain in the Palestinian territory, according to an AFP tally.