IDF St.-Sgt. Itay Chen, 19, from Netanya, was killed on October 7, the IDF confirmed on Tuesday. His body is being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he was devastated to learn that Chen, who was a dual US-Israel citizen, was killed at the Nahal Oz military base.
Biden says he's devastated to learn of killing of US-Israeli citizen on Oct. 7
Itay’s father, Robby, said that the family “received new intelligence as to Itay’s fate, after he was killed. We decided our mission is not over; we are waiting for his return to sit shiva [traditional week-long Jewish mourning period]. We will continue to fight for the return of all hostages now. Right now, we are faced with an opportunity to lighten the suffering of all the hostage families; I am calling on the prime minister and the government to do everything in their power to bring our loved ones home.”
The family added that “the chief military rabbi determined his death after examining all the findings and based on reliable information.”
“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.
Biden later posted on X “Jill and I are devastated to learn that Itay Chen was killed by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on October 7.
Jill and I are devastated to learn that Itay Chen was killed by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on October 7.In December, Itay’s father and brother joined me at the White House to share the agony and uncertainty they’ve faced as they prayed for the safe return of…
— President Biden (@POTUS) March 12, 2024
“In December, Itay’s father and brother joined me at the White House to share the agony and uncertainty they’ve faced as they prayed for the safe return of their loved one. No one should have to endure even one day of what they have gone through.
“Today, as we join Itay’s parents, brothers, and family in grieving this tragic loss, 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.”
White House says Itay Chen's death 'hits hard'
Itay Chen's death hits hard for President Joe Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday during a press conference.
The White House hasn't yet announced any plans for Biden to meet with Chen's family, though Sullivan said the statement Biden issued today on Chen's death "won't be the end of it" from Biden.
"[Biden] has invested personally in trying to bring all of those who are held hostage in Gaza home and elsewhere around the world, and the fact that we now have news that he was killed on October 7, it just hits hard in that realm," Sullivan said.