The Brooklyn father of the final slain Israeli-American hostage whose body was released by Hamas bid farewell to his son Sunday, describing him as a hero and vowing to hold responsible all those who allowed the October 7 massacre to happen.
Grieving father Ruby Chen gave his son Itay Chen, 19, one last salute during his funeral at Tel Aviv’s Kiryat Shaul cemetery. This came days after Hamas released the teen’s body, shattering the father’s final hope that his son could still be alive.
“Itay, I prayed for a different ending, but of all the possibilities that could have happened, of all the scenarios that raced through my mind, this was still the least terrible outcome of them all,” Chen said in a statement.
The heartbroken father hailed his son as a hero, along with his fellow tank crew members who were tasked with protecting Kibbutz Nahal Oz before they were ambushed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Chen also expressed his gratitude to former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden for their efforts over the past two years to help free his son and provide his family with the closure they desperately needed.
He gave a special shoutout to members of Trump’s team who maintained contact with him regarding his son’s status, including Vice President J.D. Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
“Our journey has been a long one to bring Itay home, but we found many allies—good people who felt our suffering and pain and wanted to help us bring the hostages home,” Chen said.
Itay’s mother, Hagit Chen, also offered her thanks during a tearful eulogy at her son’s funeral. “I’m sorry you waited so long to come home,” she said through tears, according to the Times of Israel. “I wanted you to be a hero, but without paying with your life,” she lamented of her soldier son.
Ruby Chen vowed to continue advocating for the release of the bodies of the remaining five slain hostages in Gaza. He also pledged to hold accountable those who failed Israel’s security during the horrific October 7 terrorist attack.
Chen has been among the most vocal advocates calling for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the security failures that allowed Hamas to invade Israel, kill more than 1,200 people, and kidnap another 251.
Many officials responsible for Israel’s defense have since resigned over alleged failures. However, critics continue to seek accountability from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“A whole nation now stands and waits for answers, waiting for justice to be both seen and done with those responsible for the catastrophe,” Ruby Chen said at the funeral.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/09/world-news/nyc-dad-says-goodbye-to-hero-son-itay-chen-who-hamas-killed/