For more than two years, the words "bring them home" have echoed painfully across Israel, with signs demanding the return of Israeli hostages on almost every street corner.
Now that the last hostage taken by Hamas, 24-year-old Ran Gvili, has been laid to rest, that call has finally been answered.
The police officer was killed on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel.
His body was taken over the border into Gaza where he remained for 843 days and many feared he would never be found.
Hundreds of people lined the streets waving Israeli flags as Mr Gvili's body was driven in a procession from a military base near Tel Aviv to his home town of Meitar, where he was buried.
Lieutenant Dean Elsdunne, international spokesperson for Israel Police, told the ABC that Mr Gvili is considered a national hero.
"It's a sense of closure, it's an emotional day for all of us," he said.
"It's amazing that finally after two years of waiting we can finally give closure to his immediate family as well.
"He is really a role model to all of us, I know he is going to be a role model to generations of police officers to come.
"He was home on medical leave on October 7, and he heard what was happening. He decided on his own he was going to find his team members and help them, at the end of the day he was the human shield for Israel on Ocotber 7."
Fourteen-year-old Itay told the ABC he came to show his support.
"My brother is a good friend of Ran, I knew him when I was little kid," he said.
"He was a good guy, I was so happy when they found him."
While Mr Gvili's burial gives his family closure, it also provides closure for the Israelis who rallied every week supporting the hostages' families in their struggle to bring all of the captives home.
It's the first time since 2014 that Israel has had no hostages held in Gaza.
Esther, who was among those paying tribute to Mr Gvili, said she felt sadness that he died trying to defend others.
"I made it my mission in the last couple of years to track all the hostages when they come home, I pray for them," she said.
"I wish he were alive, I don't think these young people should have met the fate they met, I think I'm angry about that in my heart.
"I personally don't feel a sense that this is done. I'm not going to throw away my yellow hostage ribbon, it just feels like a long road still."
The funeral marks the end of a painful part of Israel's history.
Many people who turned out to Mr Gvili's funeral hope this will allow the country to start to move forward and heal.
"He is a symbol to all of the Israeli people," Or, another at the event, told the ABC.
"I'm very happy he's home, but also very sad. Now we can start healing."
The return of Mr Gvili removes one of the hurdles to the fragile ceasefire in Gaza moving to its next phase.
Israel had said it was refusing to advance the deal without all its hostages returned.
Now that process is complete, pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“We acted and we found Ran. And so we achieved what we were yearning for 843 days: To bring all of our brothers and sisters back home. And it’s not the end yet. We also stick to our other goals: To disarm Hamas of its weapons, to demilitarize the (Gaza) Strip. And we will achieve this too,” Mr Netanyahu said at the funeral.
Another key part of the second phase of the ceasefire, is the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt in both directions to allow injured Palestinians to leave the strip and get vital medical treatment.
Since the ceasefire began in October, Palestinian Health Authorities say more than 480 people have been killed and more than 13,00 have been injured by Israeli strikes.
Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of ceasefire violations.
