Itay Chen—a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen—was killed during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, the White House said Tuesday, after Chen was previously thought to be held hostage in Gaza.
Dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Itay Chen was previously believed to be held hostage in Gaza—but officials ... [+]
Chen, a 19-year-old soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, was believed to be one of six U.S. citizens presumed alive in Gaza, according to CNN, until officials announced Tuesday he died in the initial attacks.
The IDF announced Chen was killed on Oct. 7 and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip, according to several Israeli news outlets.
Chen now joins at least three other U.S. citizens—Aviv Atzili, Gad Haggai and Judith Weinstein Haggai—who are dead.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden released a statement Tuesday expressing their condolences to the family, some of whom visited the White House in December.
More than 240. That’s how many Israeli citizens and foreign nationals Hamas took hostage during the Oct. 7 attacks, according to Israel. Hamas released about 100 of those individuals during a multi-day cease-fire in November. CNN reported 32 of the 130 hostages taken on Oct. 7 are believed to be dead.
Israel and Hamas are engaged in talks mediated by Qatar and Egypt for another cease-fire and hostage release agreement. It’s unclear exactly where those talks stand, but a push to start the cease-fire ahead of Ramadan—the Islamic holy month that started earlier this week—fell flat.