Father of Hostage Hopes for Miracle Amid Uncertainty of Exchange
The father of an Israeli-American hostage, presumed murdered by Hamas, remains hopeful for what he describes as “a miracle” that his son might return home alive. Ruby Chen shared his feelings on Sunday after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed the family that his son, Itay Chen, 19, is believed to be among those killed. Despite this, the family has not received definitive evidence confirming his death.
Ruby noted, “The knowledge of the IDF that indeed he was killed, we do not have that physical evidence. That’s missing.” He expressed a persistent hope as the family awaits the anticipated handover of hostages, scheduled for Monday. The upcoming exchange is part of a deal brokered by President Trump, involving the release of 48 hostages, including 20 who are still alive.
“That leaves some sort of doubt that hopefully, even tomorrow, there might be some sort of surprise for us,”
Ruby Chen said, referring to his desire for unexpected good news.
The Chen family, along with others facing similar uncertainty, has endured emotional turmoil since being informed on March 2, 2024, that their son was among the deceased. Itay Chen was identified by the IDF as a member of the Armored Brigade’s 75th Battalion, reportedly killed near the Gaza border by Hamas.
As the hostage exchange looms, Ruby described the emotions the families are experiencing as a “mixed bag.” While there is excitement for those who will be reunited with their loved ones, there is also profound anxiety for the families of the 25 other hostages presumed dead, as well as for the two whose statuses remain unknown.
“On one hand, excitement for those that will be able to hug their loved ones. Anticipation that finally this chapter of the people of Israel that began two years ago will finally come to an end,” he explained. “On the other hand, the anxiety that some of the 28 families will not be reunited with their loved ones and will still be stuck in this chapter.”
Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine has stated it is prepared to employ advanced technology, including fingerprint analysis, dental matching, and DNA extraction, to identify any released bodies. The identification process could take several days, with families receiving the first updates through the Israeli Health Ministry.
The last hostage exchange saw a significant error when Hamas mistakenly delivered the body of an unidentified Palestinian woman instead of that of slain mother Shiri Bibas. This incident sparked international outrage and threatened the fragile cease-fire agreement.
As the families await news, Ruby Chen’s hope for a miracle underscores the complex emotions surrounding this ongoing crisis. The impending exchange presents both a flicker of hope and the harsh reality of loss, encapsulating the profound impact of this conflict on countless lives.
