IDF confirms loss of life of US-Israeli soldier Itay Chen; frame nonetheless in Gaza

WASHINGTON ― Itay Chen, an American-Israeli soldier who went lacking all over the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel, was once showed lifeless Tuesday through the Israel Protection Forces.The circle of relatives of Chen, a 19-year-old IDF soldier and twin U.S.-Israeli citizen who was once stationed on the Gaza Strip border, had labored to loose the remainder Israeli hostages in Gaza in hopes that Chen was once amongst them.However the IDF, bringing up new intelligence, mentioned Chen’s frame was once taken to Gaza through Hamas militants after he was once killed all over the Oct. 7 assault. His stays are nonetheless in Gaza.”Our hearts are damaged. We beloved him such a lot, and we’d have accomplished the rest to carry him house alive,” Ruby and Hagit Chen, folks of Itay Chen, mentioned in a remark.The scoop of his loss of life comes because the Biden management’s efforts to protected a six-week cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has stalled, with Hamas unwilling to signal directly to a truce. Hamas has now not launched a listing of the roughly 40 hostages believed to be final in Gaza.Prep for the polls: See who’s operating for president and examine the place they stand on key problems in our Voter GuideJake Sullivan, White Area nationwide safety adviser, mentioned 5 American citizens stay hostages in Gaza.Biden presented condolences to Chen’s circle of relatives in a remark. “Lately, our hearts are heavy,” Biden mentioned, including that he and the primary woman had been devastated to be told that Itay Chen was once killed.Chen was once born and raised in New York Town − rooting on American sports activities, taking part in basketball and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis − earlier than later transferring together with his circle of relatives to Israel. The circle of relatives, not able to succeed in Chen after the Oct. 7 assault, was once informed through the IDF that his standing was once lacking in motion, or MIA.”I get up now not understanding the place my son slept ultimate evening, whether or not he was once given any meals or water, whether or not he is been injured. We do not even know if he’s alive,” Ruby Chen wrote in a USA TODAY op-ed revealed Jan. 22.Ruby Chen was once some of the members of the family of hostage sufferers who met with Biden on the White Area in December.”No person must need to undergo even at some point of what they’ve long past via,” Biden mentioned of the Chen circle of relatives, recalling a menorah that Ruby Chen passed him on the finish of the assembly as a reminder that “gentle will all the time dispel the darkness, and evil is not going to win.””Lately, as we sign up for Itay’s folks, brothers, and circle of relatives in grieving this tragic loss, we stay this reminder just about our hearts,” Biden mentioned. “And I reaffirm my pledge to the entire households of the ones nonetheless held hostage: we’re with you. We will be able to by no means forestall running to carry your family members house.”Chen’s folks thanked the Biden management, U.S. contributors of Congress, and the American other people for his or her “unwavering beef up and prayers over the past 158 days.””Much more so nowadays, we think Top Minister Netanyahu and President Biden to do the whole lot of their energy to carry Itay, in addition to the opposite 133 hostages, again house to us,” Chen’s folks mentioned of their remark on Tuesday. “We have now come to grasp the entire households who’re looking forward to their family members, and we will be able to now not forestall running till each and every unmarried hostage comes house.”

Author: OpenAI