Tragic Loss: U.S.-Israeli Confirmed Dead After October 7 Kidnapping

The assault resulted in the massacre of hundreds of individuals.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum headquarters mourns the loss of Sergeant Chen, who was stationed on the Gaza border at the time of his abduction. Israeli officials have revealed that his body is still in the possession of Hamas.

March 13, 2024

In a statement commemorating Sergeant Chen, the forum said, "We share in the profound grief of the Chen family. Itay Chen, 19, was a sociable individual, always surrounded by friends. He was a beloved figure who attracted others with his warm presence. Itay was passionate about the land, enjoyed hiking, and served as a senior instructor in youth movements. He was a true salt of the earth person."

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The statement further highlighted Chen's personal life, mentioning his attachment to Gucci, the family's pet dog, his love for basketball, sports, good food, and music. Itay, the middle child of three siblings, had been in a relationship with Neta for over a year, whom he referred to as the love of his life.

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As of Tuesday, 134 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead. Chen's parents and an aunt were present at President Biden's State of the Union address last week, invited by Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Chen was serving active duty in a tank unit on October 7, with the Times of Israel reporting his last contact at 6:40 a.m. on the day of the attack.

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Chen was among six U.S. citizens held captive by Hamas. During his State of the Union address, President Biden stated that he had been "working non-stop to establish an immediate ceasefire" that would last six weeks to secure the release of all remaining hostages.

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President Biden acknowledged that October 7 marked the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust, with Hamas militants taking 250 people hostage. He affirmed Israel's right to retaliate against Hamas, criticizing the group for cowardly hiding within the civilian population. However, he also emphasized Israel's responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza, noting that the current conflict has claimed more lives of innocent civilians than all previous wars in Gaza combined, with over 30,000 Palestinians killed.