Last U.S. Citizen Held by Hamas Returns Home After 15 Months

The remains of the last U.S. citizen held by Hamas, Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, were returned to his family for burial on Monday, concluding a harrowing 15-month ordeal. Chen, a 19-year-old member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was taken hostage during a brutal attack on Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023. The IDF confirmed the return of Chen’s remains after a thorough identification process conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police.

“Itay has finally returned home. We honor his life, mourn his loss, and stand with his family,” said Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State. Chen was noted for his vibrant personality, being described as fun-loving, energetic, and passionate about singing, dancing, and video gaming. He was also an instructor in youth programs and the middle child in a family of three brothers.

On the day of the attack, Chen was not scheduled for duty. However, he switched shifts with a fellow soldier to attend his brother’s upcoming bar mitzvah. The kibbutz was targeted by Hamas militants, resulting in the deaths of 15 residents and the abduction of eight others. Chen was killed when his tank was struck by enemy fire while defending the kibbutz. Following his death, Hamas transported his body to Gaza but did not confirm his status for months, leading to immense anguish for his family.

His father, Ruby Chen, and mother, Hagit Chen, became vocal advocates for the return of hostages and their remains. They frequently communicated with both the Biden and Trump administrations, expressing their frustration over the psychological toll of uncertainty imposed by Hamas. Ruby Chen stated that Hamas has inflicted “the lowest type of psychological terrorism” by not acknowledging Itay’s status.

Hamas has claimed that some remains were difficult to locate in the rubble of Gaza buildings. The fourth member of Chen’s tank crew, Sgt. First Class Matan Angrest, was taken captive but returned to Israel last month as part of a ceasefire agreement. Upon his return, Angrest honored his fallen comrades with a handmade poster, referring to them as “the kings of the lions.”

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Itay Chen. “There are no words to express the depth of this pain. The hostages have no time. We must bring them all home, now!” the group stated, highlighting the ongoing plight of families waiting for the return of their loved ones.

The tragic story of Itay Chen underscores the broader humanitarian issues surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, reflecting the personal toll that violence inflicts on families and communities. As the Chen family navigates their grief, the calls for action and accountability continue to resonate within the wider discourse on hostages and the resolution of the conflict.