The remains of Gaza hostage IDF St.-Sgt. Itay Chen were identified at the National Institute for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir in the early hours of Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister's Office announced.
His body crossed into Israeli territory late Tuesday night, the Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday evening.
Chen was an Israeli-American dual national and was the last American held in Gaza after slain hostage Omer Neutra’s remains were released on Sunday. Chen's remains were reportedly held east of the Shejaia neighborhood, according to Hamas terrorists.
"Alongside the grief and the understanding that their hearts will never be whole, his return provides some measure of comfort to a family that has lived with agonizing uncertainty and doubt for over two years. We will not rest until the last hostage is brought home," the Hostage and Missing Families forum said, adding that they are "embracing the Chen family."
Notably, the return of Chen's remains leaves Hadar Goldin as the last remaining murdered hostage who was taken during active IDF service. Goldin, however, was murdered and taken hostage in 2014, rather than during Hamas's October 7 massacre.
Which hostages are remaining in Gaza?
The terror organization said that the hostage’s remains were found during ongoing search and excavation operations within the Yellow Line. Arrangements are reportedly underway to hand the body over to Israeli authorities. This comes as Hamas demanded immunity for terrorists stationed in underground tunnels in Rafah to move to areas within the Yellow Line, a source familiar with the details told The Jerusalem Post.
The terror organization asserted that the cooperation with the Red Cross significantly accelerated the recovery process, leading to the discovery of additional remains. Hamas’s announcement came less than a day after they returned the remains of three Israeli soldiers on Monday morning: Col. Asaf Hamami, 40; Capt. Omer Neutra, 21; and St.-Sgt. Oz Daniel, 19.
With this, the total number of deceased hostages still in Gaza is seven, these being Meny Godard, Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Joshua Luito Mollel, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, and Sudthisak Rinthalak.
Leaders give their condolences to the Chen family
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the family of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen. He offered condolences on behalf of himself, his wife, and the Israeli people. Chen’s parents thanked the IDF, security forces, and Netanyahu, and urged continued efforts to bring back all hostages and fallen soldiers. Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to doing so.
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee posted on Twitter/X that he spoke with Itay's parents on Tuesday night to share his condolences and express his admiration for the efforts of Itay's parents to bring him home for a proper burial.
"I've had contact with his family almost every day. Beautiful people whose relentless drive to bring Itay home showed a family's unfailing love."
"For Itay, may his memory be a blessing...and it is," Huckabee concluded.