Lost shipment, unable to refund buyer due to "case on hold" by ebay.

[jimichrome]

Looking for advice for refunding buyer for missing shipment. I pulled every USPS & ebay string to locate missing item after buyer requested refund. After 1 month it's a confirmed goner! eBay had put case on hold "till Dec. 4, 2021".     It's now Dec. 5, but case still "on hold" by ebay. (see below)  I expected eBay would lift "case hold" after 12/4 freeing up normal channel to grant buyer full refund.  The ebay seller hub or "help pages" is of no help to my issue.   Is there a way for me to bring closure? Thank you.

[jimichrome · Accepted solution]

Update: My situation has been resolved in ebay communication. Thanks, 

[jimichrome]

I was contacted by ebay customer support; the lost package was not found, but the situation was resolved to the satisfaction of Buyer & Seller.