The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday confirmed the death of IDF sergeant Itay Chen, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, during Hamas’s Oct. 7 invasion of Israel.
Chen, 19, was killed by Hamas terrorists during their surprise attack on Israel’s Nahal Oz military base, with his body reportedly still held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Chen’s father, Robby, said the family "received new intelligence as to Chen’s fate, after he was killed," adding that "the chief military rabbi determined his death after examining all the findings and based on reliable information."
The news of Chen's death brings the confirmed number of Americans killed in the Oct. 7 attack to at least 34. At least 23 Americans, mostly serving in the IDF, have also been killed in the aftermath of the attack, according to the State Department. Chen was one of six Americans who had been believed to remain in Hamas's captivity in Gaza.
President Joe Biden said he was "devastated" to hear about Chen’s death. "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," Biden wrote on X. "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," the president added.
Biden’s remarks came amid growing pressure from Democratic voters demanding a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. "We are filling out the UNCOMMITTED bubble because we strongly reject Biden’s funding war and genocide in Gaza," a campaign called Listen to Michigan said ahead of last month’s Michigan primary, in which Biden lost more than 100,000 Democratic votes to "uncommitted."