UN pressed to enforce resolution as Israel demands return of murdered hostages’ remains from Hamas in Gaza

The UN Security Council convened on Thursday to discuss the return of slain Israeli hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza.

Ruby Chen, the father of the hostage Itay Chen, presumably killed in captivity, condemned Hamas for conducting the "lowest form of terrorist psychological warfare imaginable" through its cynical refusal to confirm his sons status.

"In March 2024, my family was notified by the IDF that Itay most likely did not survive the October 7 attack. But for over 19 months, Hamas has not been willing to acknowledge that my son is in their possession or what his physical status is," Chen told the UN Security Council (UNSC).

"What my family have been subjected to – the deliberate withholding of information about our son’s fate, the refusal to return him to us, the silence – has been a form of slow, enduring psychological torture," he continued.

Looking ahead, Chen called on the UNSC to uphold UN Resolution 2474, which stipulates that Hamas must provide information about missing individuals and bodies of slain hostages.

"Hamas, by refusing to provide information or access to hostages, even to peacekeeping entities such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is in clear violation of this resolution and of international law," Chen stated.

He stressed that the UN resolution gives the United Nations a "legal and moral framework" to condemn Hamas and its financial supporter, the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"We are asking and expecting the UN to uphold the very resolution it passed – to implement it with real consequences," he said. "Resolution 2474 must not remain symbolic – it must become enforceable.”

"We want Itay back, and his physical status, whatever it might be, does not make him any less of a hostage,” Chen told the UNSC representatives.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon urged the intergovernmental organization to live up to its stated commitment to preserve and defend human rights.

"You cannot advocate for human rights while accepting the holding of bodies by a terrorist organization. We are asking for something simple, moral, and human: bring them all home," Danon argued.

Israel estimates that Hamas is still holding hostage at least three living IDF soldiers in Gaza: Matan Angrest, Tamir Nimrodi and Nimrod Cohen.

In addition, Hamas is reportedly also holding the bodies of eight fallen IDF soldiers, including IDF Sgt. Itay Chen. Itay, who has American, Israeli and German citizenships, was Angrest's tankmate.

Earlier this week, Hamas released Edan Alexander, the last living American-Israeli hostage held in Gaza. Alexander was serving in the IDF's Golani Brigade when he was captured by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Alexander survived nearly 600 days in Hamas captivity. He recalled upon his return to Israel that Hamas terrorists held him handcuffed in a cage in dark tunnels for much of his long captivity.

Hamas reportedly improved Alexander's living conditions once the organization realized he was a dual citizen. U.S. citizenship made him an important asset in the negotiations. Hamas claimed that Alexander was released without any conditions as a goodwill gesture towards U.S. President Donald Trump, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates this week.