Itay Chen’s family is undoubtedly experiencing an immeasurable grief. They hope frantically for the return of his remains, as they are convinced that he died in captivity in Gaza. Itay’s father, Ruby Chen, is determined to honor his son’s memory, emphasizing the importance of language when discussing his son. The continuing hostage crisis has thrown countless families in Israel into dismay and dread. They hold on to optimism as they wait for promising outcomes from the new ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which has not yet delivered the answers they’ve been waiting for since their new normal emerged.
Itay Chen, who was taken hostage during the unprecedented violent escalation earlier this year. Though many thought a ceasefire would bring his return, only 35 hostages have been released so far. This still leaves 48 others, including Itay, still unaccounted for. In spite of everything, Ruby Chen and his wife continue to hope for a positive outcome. At the same time, they deal with the harsh truth of their circumstances.
In an especially moving comment, Ruby Chen described how the identification of Itay’s remains makes his dignity disappear. He believes that every word matters. “I do not put much stock into what Hamas says in general,” he stated, reflecting on the difficulties of trusting the abductors. For the Chen family, as for so many others, time and hope are running out.
The Emotional Toll on Families
The Chen family continues to wait with uncertainty about what will happen to Itay. In the process, they’ve had to endure grievous funerals for other hostages who’ve been turned over. These experiences only serve to compound their grief, underscoring the continued mystery of Itay’s fate. As Ruby Chen explained, “We’re in the pain of waiting right now. We’re just looking and praying for Hamas to do their utmost to ensure the rest of the hostages are freed.”
Just the emotional impact on families suffering from this crisis is overwhelming. Ruby Chen going all out on his son. At the same time, I feel a very strong sense of responsibility to families dealing with the same thing that we’ve been dealing with. “It takes a lot of energy, but they are family to me as well,” he said. “We try to do what we can to support them.”
Even with his pain, Mr. Chen makes a point to go to other hostage memorials. He feels he needs to pay his respects and show his solidarity with their families. He mentioned how challenging it is to balance his own grief with the need to support others: “I do my best. Naturally, those that I missed, may they all excuse my absence.”
The Ongoing Hostage Crisis
The Israeli government is doing its utmost to hasten the hostages’ identification. They’re using the National Forensics Center in Tel Aviv to help steer these efforts in the right direction. This now includes Itay Chen’s case, which is still part of an overall deal being negotiated for hostages in Gaza. Negotiations over the next stage of the ceasefire are still deadlocked. Ruby Chen is disappointed with the current pace of action.
As one family advocate noted, the deal was only short on ‘best efforts’ — something we called out in advance of the announcement. This nebulous language has further contributed to the ambiguity surrounding hostage returns. With negotiations at a standstill, families are still waiting for any indication that their loved ones will return home.
The Israeli authorities have permitted heavy machinery from Egypt into Gaza as part of Red Cross efforts to locate remaining hostages like Itay Chen. Still, even with these actions taken, the return of hostages has not unfolded as desired. Ruby Chen doesn’t hold back on her doubts. As she reminds us, “Let’s not forget who carried out these abductions and kidnappings, transporting people to unknown locations… This is not simply a dementia-related forgetfulness.”
International Involvement and Future Prospects
International actors in Gaza especially are now under the spotlight as protests have escalated. Their work is absolutely critical when it comes to protecting hostages’ future safety. Some officials believe that a stable presence could help facilitate negotiations regarding remaining hostages. Al-Hayya commented on this matter: “With the presence of UN forces and an authority administering Gaza, the strip will be safe and secure.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar emphasized the need for a balanced approach towards international relations in the context of this crisis: “They shouldn’t be so supportive, maybe, but they shouldn’t be hostile to Israel.” Together, this shows a complicated dynamic at work as different players try to balance their interests while the deepening humanitarian crisis continues.
The Chen family’s experience should serve as a reminder of the human cost behind political negotiations and military escalation. As they await further news about Itay’s status, they are caught between hope and despair—an emotional rollercoaster that is all too familiar to families affected by this conflict.
