The IDF unit that found Ran Gvili

Ran Gvili, the last hostage in Gaza, was found and identified by a little known all-volunteer IDF unit named YASAR, whose job it is to search, identify and return the dead. YASAR – the Southern Command Scanning Unit – are the team tasked with entering enemy territory or scenes of horrific violence, to locate and identify fallen soldiers. They have quietly gone about their mission since the October 7 massacres, both in Israel and in Gaza.

The mission that YASAR is tasked with is deeply confronting, often traumatic, and ultimately profoundly meaningful, as they bring closure and dignity to the fallen and their loved ones.

Yosef, a member of the YASAR unit, shared with me his own harrowing experiences. Their mission demands not only physical courage, but immense emotional strength. The weight of what he sees never leaves him, yet his commitment to bringing closure to grieving families pushes him forward.

Softly spoken, Yosef described the unimaginable task his unit faced on October 8, when they were sent to Kissufim military base to search for human remains.

“My unit’s job was to check the women’s quarters to make sure there were no human remains. It was terrible. There was blood everywhere. There were clear signs of rape and torture.