Bring Home Itay Chen

On October 7, 19-year-old Itay Chen, a U.S.-Israeli dual citizen, was tragically killed while serving in the IDF on the Gaza border during the Hamas attacks. He had switched weekends with another soldier to attend his brother’s Bar Mitzvah the following week, unknowingly putting him in harm’s way. For months, his family held onto the hope that Itay, one of the hostages taken by Hamas,  was alive. But in March of 2024, the IDF confirmed his death. His body, still held by Hamas, has yet to be returned.

Itay was born in the U.S. but raised in Netanya, Israel, where he brought joy and warmth to everyone around him. He was the life of his family, always connecting them with his vibrant energy, laughter, and love. Itay had a passion for basketball, video games, and above all, his family. He was a devoted son and friend, with a bright future ahead, making his untimely death even more painful.

Ruby and Hagit Chen, Itay’s parents, are trapped in a painful limbo, unable to mourn their son fully without closure. It is quite difficult to begin their grieving process until his remains are returned to them. While they’ve been told that their son is gone, they still hold onto hope that one day, they’ll be able to truly say goodbye. Itay’s loss is a wound that won’t heal until the final piece of his story is brought home.

It has now been 506 days since the attack on October 7, 2023, and we continue to pray for the safe return of the body of Itay Chen and the remaining 61 hostages still stuck in Gaza. 

Bring them home now!

By: Simona Folk (11th)