Joe Biden speaks out after US-Israeli soldier Itay Chen believed to be kidnapped by Hamas reported dead

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Itay Chen, a 19-year-old US-Israeli soldier who was believed to have been held hostage by Hamas, was announced dead by the Israeli military on Tuesday, March 12.

Chen was serving on the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, when he was killed during the Hamas attack on Israel, CNN reports. He was counted among the six US citizens who were thought to have been held alive in Gaza and is at least the fourth dual US citizen whose body is being held there. According to IDF, Chen’s remains were taken into Gaza after he was killed. Of the 130 hostages taken by Hamas, 32 are believed to be dead to date.

Who was Itay Chen?

Chen was a former Boy Scout and a basketball player. Second of three sons, the late teenager was always surrounded by friends and loved hiking, sports, good food, and listening to music, shared the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

His parents Ruby and Hagit Chen had long awaited their son's safe return, and had also met with President Joe Biden in the White House for the cause.

Ruby had attended Biden’s State of the Union address as the guest of a lawmaker on Thursday, March 7, while Hagit told CNN, "I’m not a politician; I’m just a mom. I want my son back home. It needs to be resolved soon because the time is killing all the hostages. We keep hearing, you know, more and more hostages are not alive anymore, and they could have been alive if they were home already.”

Joe Biden 'devastated' over Itay Chen's killing 

Biden took to X (formerly Twitter) after being informed of Chen's death, writing, "Jill and I are devastated to learn that Itay Chen was killed by Hamas during its brutal terrorist assault on October 7."

"In December, Itay’s father and brother joined me at the White House 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."

"Today, as we join Itay’s parents, brothers, and family in grieving this tragic loss, 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," he concluded.