The IDF said on Tuesday that Staff Sergeant Itay Chen was killed during the Hamas massacre on October 7 and his body was abducted by the terrorists to Gaza and is being held there. He was an American citizen.
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His death was confirmed by the military's chief rabbi after examining evidence and based on credible information, the IDF said. He is survived by his parents and two brothers.
"Today, our hearts are heavy. Jill and I are devastated to learn that American Itay Chen was killed by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on October 7," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.
In December, Itay’s father and brother joined me at the White House, to share the agony and uncertainty they’ve faced as they prayed for the safe return of their loved one. No one should have to endure even one day of what they have gone through. At the end of our meeting, they gave me a menorah—a solemn reminder that light will always dispel the darkness, and evil will not win," the president said.
"Today, as we join Itay’s parents, brothers, and family in grieving this tragic loss, we keep this reminder close to our hearts. And I reaffirm my pledge to all the families of those still held hostage: we are with you. We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home."
Itay's family was informed and has decided to wait for Itay's remains to be returned before having a funeral. "With great sadness, the military yesterday showed us the new intelligence finding that confirmed the worse," his family said. "We thank everyone for the support and neverending embrace."
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Soldiers collect forensic evidence after the Hamas massacre on October 7
(Photo: Tomer Shunem Halevi)
His father said the hostages were being deserted. "What happened on October 7 was on your watch, Ruby Chen said last month. "There is no son of a senior minister or ambassador among them. We know the Hamas demands are unreasonable but they are just the starting point. You cannot negotiate by telepathy. The only consideration the leaders must have is to save the lives of the hostages," he said adding Israel needs a leadership with values that knows that the hostages must be returned.
On February 29, during a march of families of hostages to Jerusalem calling for their immediate release, Chen's 9-year-old cousin Lior said he would do anything for Itay. "I will walk until Jerusalem," the boy said adding that his cousin was abducted while fighting in his tank.
Itay's two aunts have also been fighting for the release of the hostages and participated in a demonstration outside the Caesarea home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last January with other members of the hostages' families. "They must be released," the aunts said. "Bring them home, including those who had died," they said.
There are now 134 hostages still held captive, 34 of them presumed dead.