Parents of Kidnapped IDF Soldier Speak Out: 'I'm Not Sure He's Dead'

The Agony of Not Knowing

• 💔 Hagit and Ruby Chen describe their experience as a "slow, long torture" for 587 days since their son, Itay, was kidnapped on October 7th.
• ❓ They are in a "suspended alternative universe" because Hamas has not acknowledged Itay's possession or confirmed his status, leaving them without 100% certainty.
• 🕯️ The parents have not begun mourning because the IDF notified them of his likely death, but there has been no physical confirmation or acknowledgment from Hamas.

Itay's Background and Service

• 🇺🇸🇮🇱 Itay held dual US-German-Israeli citizenship, stemming from his family's history as Holocaust survivors.
• 🛡️ He chose to serve in the IDF, as is compulsory for Israelis, with his grandfather having also been an IDF pilot.
• 📍 He was stationed at a base on the Gaza border when the October 7th attacks occurred.
• 📞 Itay's last communication was a call to his girlfriend, assuring her he was in a safe room and okay, before they lost contact.

Plea for US Intervention

• ✍️ Ruby Chen wrote an article questioning why the US isn't leading negotiations for his son's release, expressing more confidence in the Trump administration than the Netanyahu government.
• 👍 The Chen family felt supported by the Biden administration's Special Presidential Envoy for hostage affairs, who provided tools to cope and gave the feeling that everything possible was being done.
• 🗣️ They contrasted this with the Israeli government, which they feel does not meet the same standard of support.
• 🤝 They believe President Trump, who reportedly prioritized US hostages during his administration, would be more effective in resolving their son's situation.