Itay Chen Identified: Remains of Final US–Israeli Hostage Returned Under US‑Brokered Ceasefire

Israel confirms remains of US‑Israeli dual citizen Itay Chen

Israel announced on Tuesday that remains delivered as part of last month’s US‑brokered ceasefire have been formally identified as those of Itay Chen, the last known US‑Israeli hostage believed to have been held in Gaza.

Authorities said a coffin arrived from Gaza via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was transported to Israel’s national forensics laboratory for identification. With Chen’s identification complete, Israeli officials say seven deceased hostages are still believed to remain in Gaza.

Background and personal tributes

Chen, a staff sergeant in the Armored Corps who had been stationed at the Gaza border on October 7, was reported killed and his body taken into Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said. Family and friends remembered him in personal terms: he was the second of three sons, a former Boy Scout and an avid basketball player, Chen’s father Ruby Chen told CNN. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum quoted friends saying he was 'the center of attention wherever he went, always cheerful and full of jokes.'

The office of the Israeli prime minister said the government 'shares in the deep sorrow of the Chen family and of all the families of the fallen hostages.'

Recent transfers and ceasefire developments

The transfer follows several recent handovers. Hamas handed over three bodies on a recent Sunday, one of which was confirmed by US President Donald Trump as Omer Neutra, an Israeli‑American dual national killed in the October 7, 2023 attack. Earlier, two other remains were identified as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25.

There was an earlier episode in late October when Hamas said it had handed over three bodies but Israeli authorities were unable to match them to any of the known hostages. That incident prompted sharp rhetoric from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Hamas of attempted deception and ordered immediate strikes. Those strikes were reported to have killed scores of Palestinians and marked the deadliest single day since the ceasefire began.

Despite the earlier breakdown in trust, subsequent returns of remains have proceeded, and officials say the ceasefire has largely held. In an interview aired on '60 Minutes,' President Trump described the ceasefire as 'not fragile' and 'very solid,' adding that 'Hamas could be taken out immediately if they don't behave.'

Separate military‑legal probe

Separately, Israel has been shaken by a high‑profile probe into alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees. Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer‑Yerushalmi, the military’s chief legal officer responsible for ensuring the rule of law within the armed forces, was arrested in connection with a criminal investigation into the leak of a video that allegedly shows abuse, including sexual assault, at the Sde Teiman military prison.

The footage was first broadcast by Israel’s Channel 12 in August 2024. Earlier in 2024, CNN reported interviews with whistleblowers who described alleged mistreatment at the facility; Israel announced plans to begin phasing out Sde Teiman shortly afterward.

What to watch next: Israeli and international agencies will likely continue forensic work and family notifications as additional identifications proceed. The progress of the ceasefire and any related military actions remain central to preventing renewed escalations.