Hamas returns the remains of Itay Chen, the last American hostage in Gaza
- - Hamas returns the remains of Itay Chen, the last American hostage in Gaza
November 5, 2025 at 12:15 AM
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Ruby Chen holds a poster of his son, Itay Chen, during a protest near Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, Thursday, March 9, 2024. Itay Chen was killed in Hamas' attack on Oct. 7. But unlike scores of other families of soldiers killed that day, the Chens don't have a grave to visit because their son's remains are being held by Hamas in Gaza. The absence of a final resting place is being felt by several dozen families as Israel marks its Memorial Day for fallen soldiers, when cemeteries are brimming with relatives mourning over the graves of their loved ones. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)
The remains of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American citizen killed in Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel, were returned to Israel on Tuesday, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
Chen died defending against the October 7 attacks on Israel and was taken into Gaza. The 19-year-old was at the time the youngest U.S. citizen taken into Hamas captivity.
"Itay was a beloved and respected “SHELACH” instructor, guiding children and teenagers, helping them connect more deeply to the land of Israel, encouraging personal growth, and accompanying them on their educational journeys. He completed the full training course, including a survival course," The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. "A passionate athlete, he loved playing basketball and was a member of the ‘Elitzur Netanya’ team. Funny, always smiling, and full of life."
"Itay was an outstanding young man — the very best of our youth. The salt of the earth. He loved the land of Israel, his family, and the friends who always surrounded him. He had a heart of gold — always giving of himself to others, always putting his friends first."
The IDF said early on Wednesday local time that it had confirmed the identification of Chen and informed his family.
RELATED COVERAGE | Itay Chen's father Ruby speaks with Scripps News
Scripps News recently spoke with Ruby Chen, Itay's father. He said waiting for news of his son, as more hostages were returned, was a difficulty like nothing else.
"It's a feeling that's difficult to articulate. It's a phone call that is the worst phone call you'll ever get in your lifetime. And when you do not get that phone call, you feel disappointed. That is a very difficult set of emotions to have in one day."
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
