The agonizing wait is over for the Chen family, but the grief is immeasurable. Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American-Israeli soldier, has been returned from Gaza, his body finally allowing for a burial after more than two years of uncertainty.
Itay’s story began on October 7th, 2023, a day of unimaginable horror. He was a combat soldier, fighting near Kibbutz Nir Oz when Hamas launched its brutal assault, a coordinated storm of approximately 500 terrorists descending upon the community.
Nir Oz was decimated. Forty-seven residents were murdered, and 76 were seized as hostages – part of a terrifying total of 251 abducted across Israel that day. Itay’s tank was hit during the fierce battle, and his body was tragically taken into Gaza.
For months, his fate remained unknown, a torment for his parents, Ruby and Hagit, and his brothers, Roi and Alon. The official confirmation of his death came on March 10th, 2024, but the hope of bringing him home for a proper burial persisted.
Itay wasn’t just a soldier; he was a young man defined by warmth, humor, and unwavering dedication. He excelled in advanced academic studies, and found joy in basketball, hiking, and the challenge of rock climbing.
Even a personal injury couldn’t diminish his commitment. While working as a camp counselor, he insisted on completing the summer program, determined to be a positive example for the children under his care. This spirit of selflessness ultimately led him to enlist in the armored corps.
His parents waged a relentless, heartbreaking campaign for his return, tirelessly meeting with leaders in both Israel and the United States, including former President Donald Trump. Their plea was simple: bring their son home, and bring all the hostages home.
Though Itay’s return brings a measure of closure, the pain is profound. Seven other hostages remain in Gaza, their families still enduring the same agonizing uncertainty the Chens have known for far too long.
This week, Itay will be laid to rest with full military honors, a final tribute to a life cut short, a son remembered for his courage, his kindness, and his unwavering sense of duty.
The promise remains: the fight to bring every hostage home will not cease, a solemn vow echoing through a nation grieving for its lost.
