A US-Israeli citizen believed to have been kidnapped in Gaza was actually killed by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attacks, the IDF revealed.
Sergeant Itay Chen, 19, was killed by Hamas near the Gaza border as he fought the group during the attacks, which killed more than 1,200 people.
Although he was initially believed to be one of six US citizens still living in Gaza since the attack, new intelligence information revealed that he had been killed.
Chen’s affected father Ruby, from Brooklyn, New York, previously criticized President Biden as he urged US officials to do more to protect US citizens targeted by Hamas.
Following the announcement of his death, Chen becomes the 34th American to die in the Hamas attacks.
Sergeant Itay Chen, 19, was killed by Hamas near the Gaza border as he fought the group during the October 7 terrorist attacks, it has been revealed
He was thought to be one of six US citizens still living as hostages in Gaza until his death was revealed on Tuesday
President Joe Biden said he was “devastated” when he learned that Chen had been killed on October 7.
“Today our hearts are heavy,” the president wrote in a statement released Tuesday. “Jill and I are devastated to learn that American Itay Chen was murdered by Hamas in the brutal terrorist attack on October 7.”
“In December, Itay’s father and brother accompanied me to the White House to share the pain and uncertainty they faced as they prayed for the safe return of their loved one.”
“No one should have to experience what they went through for even one day. At the end of our meeting, they gave me a menorah – a solemn reminder that light will always drive out darkness, and that evil will not win.”
“As we join Itay’s parents, brothers and family today in mourning this tragic loss, we hold this memory close to our hearts. And I reaffirm my promise to all the families of those still held hostage: we stand with you. We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home.”
Chen’s father, New York-born Ruby, blasted US officials for “taking a back seat” in the search for his son while he was believed to be a hostage
Chen served in the 75th Battalion of the IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade and was involved in countering Hamas when it laid siege to the Gaza border on October 7.
After his death, his body was taken by Hamas, and his family will not hold a funeral or sit shiva until his body is returned from the strip, reports Times of Israel.
After Itay went missing and was presumed kidnapped, his father Ruby, who had lived in New York but now lives in Israel, criticized US officials for “taking a back seat” in the investigation into his son’s whereabouts.
At the time, he said, the last time he heard from his “wonderful” son, he told him that his military base was being heavily bombed.
“No one saw him in the hospital… and no one saw him dead in a morgue,” Mr. Chen said. CNN. “So all the IDF has to say is that we don’t know where he is.”
Mr. Chen made a direct plea to President Biden to step up U.S. efforts to help his dual citizens under attack by Hamas.
Mr Chen said his son, Itay (pictured), had been confirmed missing by the Israeli forces he was serving on the Gaza border when Hamas launched its attack.
“Today I went to the US Embassy with my family and asked the US Embassy to treat us and my son as US citizens first,” he said.
‘A US citizen is missing… And if he is indeed missing and perhaps even a prisoner of war (PoW), I think the US should at least require that every POW be treated according to international standards. law.
‘Unfortunately, we are not currently receiving that treatment. President Biden and the Secretary of State (Anthony Blinken), we have great respect for them. They say all the right things that we expect from them.
“But again, we believe that they could be more active in the actions that need to be taken to identify and find these American citizens who are missing.”
Following news of Chen’s death, the White House said in a statement that the hearts of President Biden and the First Lady “are heavy” by the loss.
“In December, Itay’s father and brother accompanied me to the White House to share the pain and uncertainty they faced as they prayed for the safe return of their loved one,” the statement said.
“No one should have to experience what they went through for even one day. At the end of our meeting, they gave me a menorah – a solemn reminder that light will always drive out darkness, and that evil will not win.
“As we join Itay’s parents, brothers and family today in mourning this tragic loss, we hold this memory close to our hearts. And I reaffirm my promise to all the families of those still held hostage: we stand with you. We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home.”
Itay was one of the few US citizens believed to be held as a hostage by Hamas, as seen in a missing person poster
Ruby had made several impassioned pleas for help in his son’s return, saying in January: “Every day my son doesn’t come home is a day I have failed.”
Chen’s father also made the heartbreaking revelation that his son was not initially assigned to the base, but stayed there so he could return home that weekend for his younger brother’s bar mitzvah — a Jewish initiation ceremony for a boy turning 13.
The stricken father said he was hopeful that Itay, a basketball fanatic who grew up playing Coby Bryant, could be reunited with his brother in time for the historic celebration.
“I implore President Biden… please do everything in your power to make sure we know where our son is and that we can celebrate the way we wanted to just a week ago.”