Itay Chen, dual citizen with ties to New York City, killed in Oct. 7 attack: Israeli Defense Forces
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Israel Defense Forces announced Tuesday morning that Itay Chen, a 19-year-old dual citizen, was killed on Oct. 7 and his body is being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Chen was one of at least six U.S. citizens still thought to have been held alive in Gaza. His father Ruby Chen, from Flatbush, Brooklyn, never gave up hope that his son survived the attack and would eventually be released from captivity.
The death was recently declared by the Military Rabbinate based on findings and new intelligence information.
Chen was remembered on the House floor on Tuesday.
"They robbed our nation of a great American, a young American, an idealistic American who loved his country and loved his family's homeland Israel," said Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland.
His father met with President Joe Biden and circled the globe lobbying foreign governments, including the White House and Congress, to do more to get Hamas to free the hostages.
The stress was so severe that Ruby Chen developed shingles, but he pressed on.
Back in January at a New York cafe with Itay's picture in the window, he wondered if it was even making a difference.
"The uncertainty? That's the most difficult part. Cause you do things throughout the day, 15, 16, 17 hours and you're exhausted, and you ask yourself a very simple question," he said. "Was I able to move the release of my son from being a hostage, an inch? An inch? And you don't have a good answer."
"This hits hard for us, this news, it hits hard for the president and for me and a wide number of people who you guys have never heard of in the U.S. government who are working tirelessly for Itay's release, and I can't imagine what the family is going through," said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Chen served in the 7th Armored Brigade's 75th Battalion, and his body was taken from the Gaza border following the Hamas onslaught.
Itay grew up in Israel but was also an American citizen who shared many connections to New York through his father.
"Itay, the kid that has always been giving and giving and giving to the community," his father previously told Eyewitness News. "He is a very avid NBA basketball fan like his dad, so growing up you know, I'm a New York Knicks fan, suffering New York Knicks fan, you might add to that, but of course, when the kid was growing up, Itay decided his idol would be Kobe Bryant. He became a Lakers fan, isn't that what kids do? Want to be rebellious."
Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement on Chen's death:
"After Hamas' attacks, thousands were left wondering if their loved ones were safe. Until today, we still hoped that New Yorker Itay Chen was alive. I met with Itay's father, Ruby, in Jerusalem & heard what an incredible young man he was. May his memory be a blessing."
Senator Chuck Schumer says he's going to do what he can to get Chen's body back.
"His father requested me, even though he's dead, as part of Jewish law, please get his body back," Senator Chuck Schumer said. "Please get his body back. I'm going to try to do everything I can to make that happen."
Just last week, another ceasefire-for-hostage deal stalled in the region.
Now, with Israel's prime minister vowing to invade the last remaining Hamas stronghold in the south of Gaza, aid shipments are finally ramping up for Palestinians caught in a humanitarian nightmare.
Workers constructed a makeshift port where 200 tons of food will arrive as soon as Wednesday, and in the coming weeks, U.S. troops will build a temporary pier off the Gaza coast, for more regular deliveries.
Of the 134 people missing in Gaza, Chen is the 34th to be confirmed dead. No one knows how many of the 100 who remain, are still alive.
RELATED | Father of missing IDF soldier held hostage by Hamas pleads for U.S. government to do more
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