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Tragic fate: Itay Chen's family receives sad news
Hamas' identification of dead Israeli soldier Itay Chen raises questions about the return of other hostages.
Tragic fate: Itay Chen's family receives sad news
The current events surrounding the Middle East conflict are keeping the world in suspense. On November 5, 2025, it was announced that Israeli authorities had confirmed the identity of Itay Chen, a soldier who had been missing since October 7, 2023. According to dhnet.be, his body returned by the militant group Hamas.
Chen was stationed on the Gaza border as part of an attack on his base by Hamas and its allies. In a last sign of life, he wrote to his parents before his capture. His fate remained uncertain for over five months until the Israeli army confirmed his death in March 2024. He was officially declared dead in battle, and his body eventually found its way back to Palestinian territory.
The situation of the hostages
The identification of Chen brings the number of hostage bodies yet to be restituted by Hamas to a total of seven. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2025, the organization has released the last 20 living hostages held since the attacks began in October 2023. These releases took place in exchange for the liberation of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel's demand for the return of the remaining bodies remains between the fronts.
Hamas itself, founded in 1987 during the First Intifada, was initially supported to weaken the PLO and has since become the government in the Gaza Strip. In addition to social services, the organization also provides military support through its armed organization, the al-Qassam Brigades. The group has engaged in various conflicts with Israel in the past, most recently starting in October 2023, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
The human cost of conflict
The military clashes have also produced massive human tragedies, with over 70,000 deaths recorded in Gaza. This has greatly influenced the public image of Hamas and caused support for the organization to fluctuate. Recent polls show declining popularity in Gaza while support is growing in the West Bank. The perception of Hamas is largely shaped by its governance and military actions.
International reactions to Hamas's military activities have been mixed. While several countries, including the US and the EU, classify the group as terrorist, UN motions condemning Hamas cannot find the necessary majority. It is clear that the conflict is escalating and the political landscape remains volatile.
In conclusion, the return of Itay Chen's body represents not only a personal tragedy for his family, but also another building block in the complex and tragic history of the Middle East conflict. The situation remains tense and the hope for peace remains timid while the ghosts of the past do not rest.