“You returned whole and peaceful, just as a hero of Israel should,” his mother said. “How I wished the ending could have been different.”
By The IDF Club
On Sunday morning, a large crowd gathered at Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery to pay tribute to Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, an IDF hero whose body was finally returned to Israel after 760 days in captivity.
Chen, 19, served in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade and was killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Kibbutz Nahal Oz. During the battle, his tank was struck, and he was abducted into Gaza. His death was officially confirmed on March 10, 2024.
Itay’s father, Ruby Chen, eulogized his son as part of “a new generation of Zionism, forced to forge its Zionism with fire, blood, and mass sacrifice.”
His mother, Hagit Chen, reflected on the small, poignant details of her son’s return, recalling his vest from Gaza and the armor dusted with powder. “You returned whole and peaceful, just as a hero of Israel should,” she said, adding, “How I wished the ending could have been different. I had real dreams of you coming back alive.”
Among those attending was Matan Angrest, Chen’s tank teammate who had been injured in the same attack and kidnapped to Gaza, returning weeks earlier.
A recorded eulogy from Steve Whitkoff, envoy for President Trump, praised the family’s perseverance: “His family never let anyone forget him. Along the way, they refused to give up. Itay’s story should remind the world how much the smile and soul of a young person can impact everyone around them.”
President Isaac Herzog called Chen “Israel’s first symbol, a hero of our nation,” acknowledging both the grief and pride shared by the nation and his family. He paid tribute to Team Peretz of the 77th Armored Battalion, Chen’s unit, which included Capt. Daniel Peretz, Staff Sgt. Tomer Leibovitz, and Staff Sgt. Matan Angrest. Herzog noted, “At every funeral, memorial, or ceremony, I am repeatedly struck by the incredible spirit of this generation — your generation, Itay.”
Itay Chen’s story is a testament to the courage of Israel’s soldiers, the strength of his family, and the enduring spirit of a young hero whose brief life left an indelible mark on his nation. After more than two years, Israel welcomed its fallen hero home, honoring his sacrifice and celebrating the legacy of his bravery.
