The IDF announced Tuesday the death of Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, 19, a soldier in the 75th Battalion. He was kidnapped on Oct. 7 while fighting the Hamas terrorists who had infiltrated the border, where he was stationed. His body has been held in the Gaza Strip since.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
After examining all the findings, the Military Rabbinate determined his death. The family decided that there would be no funeral or mourning period until his body was returned to Israel.
Video: Britain to warn Israel's Gantz over famine in Gaza / Credit: Reuters
US President Joe Biden said he was devastated to learn that a dual US-Israel citizen was killed in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. "I reaffirm my pledge to all the families of those still held hostage: we are with you. We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
Itay is the second of three brothers. His younger brother Alon celebrated his 13th birthday a week after he was captured. His mother Chagit said: "For Alon's bar mitzvah, which took place a week after the capture, we filmed a video with the participation of the whole family in which Itay also appears, and it was supposed to be shown at the event. I still can't show Alon the video of his bar mitzvah. We have been waiting four months for Itay to return and be with us so we can watch the video together. When Itay returns home, we will have a big party and celebrate Alon's bar mitzvah."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
