Body of IDF fallen soldier Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, killed in battle on Oct 7, returned to Israel

The deceased hostage whose body was returned to Israel for burial last night (Wednesday) is IDF Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, according to a statement released overnight by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The bodies of seven other fallen hostages still remain in Gaza in the hands of Hamas.

Chen was the last hostage in Gaza to hold American citizenship, as well as the last soldier from the Oct. 7 war to remain. Two additional members of the security forces still being held in Gaza are Ran Gvili, who served in the police, and Hadar Goldin, whose body was abducted during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

Itay Chen was the middle son of three brothers. He grew up in Netanya, studied in an excellence program, and was a promising athlete. He loved playing basketball, climbing walls, hiking around the country, and during the summer before his enlistment, worked as a counselor at a summer camp. As a teenager, Chen took part in social activities and was a young field guide. Although he was injured while serving as a counselor, he insisted on continuing and later enlisted as a combat soldier in the Armored Corps, Battalion 77, “Golan Storm” Brigade.

Chen is survived by his parents, Robi and Hagit, and his two brothers, Roy and Alon.

According to the IDF, Chen fell in battle while fighting in a tank at Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, and was abducted by Hamas. He was 19 years old when he fell. His death was officially determined on March 10, 2024.

On the morning of Oct. 7, the tank crew from Battalion 77 of the 7th Armored Brigade fought dozens of terrorists near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. The loader, Tomer Leibovitz, was killed; the gunner, Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, and the tank commander, Captain Daniel Peretz, were killed and abducted to Gaza; and the driver, Staff Sergeant Matan Angrest, was taken alive to Gaza. Angrest was released three weeks ago.