IDF Rabbinate Confirms Dual US-Israeli Citizen Murdered on Simchas Torah

By FrumNews.com

Yerushalayim – The IDF has announced the death of Sergeant Itay Chen, 19, a dual US-Israeli citizen from Netanya. The family has been notified.

Itai Chen was a sergeant in the 7th Armored Tank Brigade’s 77th Battalion. He was believed to have been kidnapped and taken hostage on Simchas Torah, but the IDF confirmed today that Hamas Terrorists killed him during the Simchas Torah massacre at the Nahal Oz military base.

Chen was one of at least six U.S. citizens still thought to have been held alive in Gaza. His father Ruby Chen, originally 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.

His body is currently being held by Hamas terrorist in Gaza.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he and the First Lady were “devastated to learn that American Itay Chen was killed by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on October 7.”

The President recalled meeting Itay’s father and brother at the White House in December, 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. At the end of our meeting, they gave me a menorah—a solemn reminder that light will always dispel the darkness, and evil will not win.”

“Theirs was a crime that violates every international law, every rule of war, every moral ideal, and every principle of basic human decency. His murder satisfied only one tenet – the one Hamas laid out in its own charter – which states that their terrorist organization was put on the earth to, quote, fight Jews and kill them, and to eliminate Israel.”

“This hits hard for us, this news. It hits hard for the President. It hits hard for me. It hits hard for 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.” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

In Congress, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) remembered Itay on the House floor, saying that the attack and murders by Hamas “Was a crime that violates every international law, every rule of war, every moral ideal, and every principle of basic human decency. His murder satisfied only one tenet – the one Hamas laid out in its own charter – which states that their terrorist organization was put on the earth to, quote, fight Jews and kill them, and to eliminate Israel.

“These terrorists robbed Itay of his future. He was only 19 years of age. They robbed Roy and Alon of their brother. They robbed our nation of a great American – a young American, an idealistic American, an American who loved his country – the United States of America, and loved his family’s homeland – Israel.”

Hashem Yikdum Damam

Heartbroken to learn that New Yorker Itay Chen was murdered by Hamas.
I had the honor to meet his strong family. Itay’s face & my hope for his safe return are on my desk at City Hall.
This news is awful. My love to Ruby, Hagit and their family.
We will never forget what he gave. pic.twitter.com/9nnLfdVIqW

— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) March 12, 2024