NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A US-Israeli citizen with ties to New York City -- his father Ruby is from Flatbush, Brooklyn -- was killed during Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack in southern Israel and his body taken to Gaza, President Joe Biden and the Israeli Defense Forces announced Tuesday.
It was initially thought that Sgt. Itay Chen, 19, had been taken hostage. About 130 hostages -- 250 were originally kidnapped by Hamas -- remain or are unaccounted for in Gaza; at least five are U.S. citizens.
Sgt. Chen, who served in the IDF's 75th Battalion of the Golan Sa'ar Brigade (7), "has tragically lost his life, and his body is being held in Gaza. Sergeant Chen fell in battle on October 7th," the IDF said in a statement.
Itay Chen, who was killed by Hamas during its Oct. 7 terror attack in southern Israel.X
Ruby Chen told WABC-TV in October, of his son's New York lineage, "He hopefully, having New York DNA in him, and knowing and being in the United States many, many times. You know, we got to go to Fenway and saw Big Papi hit a home run, that's the memories that he remembers as well. Going to Boston Garden or to Madison Square Garden and seeing the Knicks, so those are the things that we kind of hold onto and say in that moment, in that second, that he needed to take care of himself that, that DNA that he was brought up on, that at least brought him to the situation, good situation, okay. He's being held hostage by the Hamas."
He added, "Itay, the kid that has always been giving and giving and giving to the community. 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."
Hagit and Ruby Chen, parents of Itay Chen, attend a US House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia roundtable with family members of individuals being held hostage by Hamas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2023.JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
The IDF said, "The Chief Military Rabbi declared his death after reviewing all the findings and, based on reliable information, and his family has been notified. In accordance with the family's wishes, the funeral and the Shiva will only be held after the return of the body for burial in Israel."
President Joe Biden offered his condolences, saying, "Today, our hearts are heavy. Jill and I are devastated to learn that American Itay Chen was killed by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on October 7."
Itay Chen served in the Israeli Defense Forces, and was killed during the Oct. 7 terror attack by Hamas.X
The president recalled meeting Itay's father and brother at the White House In December, saying, "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."
Biden added, "Today, as we join Itay's parents, brothers, and family in grieving this tragic loss, we keep this reminder close to our hearts. And 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."
Gov. Kathy Hochul posted on X, "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."
