JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Israeli government announced early Wednesday that Hamas has returned the remains of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, the last American hostage held in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
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The Prime Minister’s Office said the National Center for Forensic Medicine, in coordination with Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate, completed identification of Chen’s body. IDF representatives notified the Chen family of the recovery.
“After the identification process was completed… IDF representatives informed the family of the fallen captive, Armored Corps fighter Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, of blessed memory, that their loved one has been returned to Israel and his identification has been completed,” the statement read.
Chen, 19, held dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship and served in the 7th Armored Brigade. He was declared killed in action in March 2024 after being initially listed as missing.
The government expressed condolences to the Chen family and all families of fallen captives, vowing to continue efforts to recover all remains.
“The government and the entire Israeli recovery system are determined, committed, and tirelessly working to return all our fallen captives for proper burial in their homeland,” the statement said.
It added that Hamas “is required to fulfill its commitments to the mediators and return them as part of the implementation of the agreement,” emphasizing Israel “will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all the captives, every last one of them.”
May his memory be a blessing.
What is America going to do about it??? Israel has it’s its scores to settle. But for the murderer of Americans is America’s justice that must be taken.