“When was the last time you talked to your child? Do you know where he slept last night? Do you know what he ate? Do you know if he had a blanket over him?” Ruby Chen, Itay Chen’s father which was taken over by Hamas asked in an interview with Fox News Digital on October 7, 2023.
“All of these kinds of questions are questions we ask ourselves constantly,” he said. “The feeling is that we have failed.”
Itay, who was 19 when he was taken, remained a hostage in Gaza for 365 days after his unit in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was attacked in southern Israel, when Hamas militants carried out massive A series of attacks flooded the border.
Chen, a New York City native, said he and his wife have been granted “unprecedented” access to the White House, the CIA and other top agencies over the past year. discuss ongoing strategies Attempt to get the hostages out of Gaza.
IDF Sgt. Itay Chen was serving at the Gaza border when he was taken hostage by Hamas militants on October 7. (IDF)
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Not only has Chen met with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, as well as CIA Director William Burns and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen a dozen times, but he also holds weekly talks with the White House.
But ultimately, when it comes to the real needs of American families whose loved ones are still held hostage by Hamas, these aid efforts have fallen short.
“We have been failed by the Israeli government, we, as American citizens, feel that we have been failed by the Biden administration despite all the access that has been provided to us,” he explained. “They share as much as they can. But at the end of the day, it’s… very black and white.
“Where is he?”
Israeli officials said Itay Chen has been confirmed dead after being taken hostage on October 7. (Fox News)
Chen reported that following the October 7 attacks on Israel, the Israeli government pursued a strategy to secure the release of the then-251 hostages by bombing suspected Hamas targets in Gaza.
In the initial weeks following Hamas’ deadly attacks, Israel began attacking northern Gaza – a move that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believed would bring Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar “to his knees” and take him “hostages. Will prepare for release.”
November saw the release of a one-week ceasefire 105 mortgageTwelve other hostages have been freed following negotiations shortly after the attack, or due to IDF rescue operations between February and August.
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None of the eight kidnapped American hostages have been released, and only seven remain held by Hamas. Hersh Goldberg-Polin He was discovered by IDF forces in late August, when he was killed by the terrorist group along with five others.
More than 100 hostages are held in captivity in the Gaza Strip – 97 of whom were kidnapped on October 7, 2023.
American hostages who were taken and held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
The Chens, other American families, and the international community have repeatedly urged Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire agreement And return all hostages to their families.
But disagreements over security corridors in Gaza have created a major hurdle as officials from the US, Egypt and Qatar work to get Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement.
The father of an IDF soldier explained that as long as no one is discussing a “day after tomorrow” plan for the Gaza Strip and the Palestinians there, Hamas will continue to hold tightly to its most powerful bargaining chip, the hostages.
WASHINGTON, DC – December 13: Jonathan Deckel-Chen, father of Sagui Deckel-Chen, and Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, surrounded by other family members of Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. President Biden speaks to reporters after meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
“Where is Hamas the day after tomorrow? And if no one is willing to talk about it, then Hamas believes that they are in a better position hold hostages Unless something changes,” he explained. “This is a jihad organization. They want anarchy. They are looking for regional conflict.
Chen further said, “When they see that there is now a conflict with Lebanon, it does not motivate them to join the ceasefire agreement. On the contrary, they want to join this jihad against Israel And want to get other players involved.” “So I ask, what’s the plan?”
Itay’s father said, “I’m very critical of time.” “For the last 10 months, I’ve been asking Mr. Sullivan, what is Plan B?
“I have not heard of a Plan B and that is unacceptable,” he said.
A man walks past a shelter tent set up near collapsed buildings in the Burij camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza on October 1, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)
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Maintaining peace in the region became even more uncertain last week when Israel, against the objections of the US and its international allies, launched an operation. attack on southern lebanon With the express intention of eliminating the threat posed by Hezbollah.
Chen explained that this second front not only added another dimension to securing the release of the hostages, but it also put negotiations with Hamas on the back burner as concerns remain over a broader regional conflict.
“If you follow the news, you can see that the hostage issue has been given a low priority,” he said. “And that’s a very difficult realization for us and the families.”
Netanyahu has stated as his top priority Is ensuring the release of the hostages, but his refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor for security reasons has led to a deadlock in talks and questions are being raised whether the Prime Minister… In fact he is giving priority to the hostages over his own pressure “Destroying Hamas.”
But Itay’s parents – described as a “fun kid”, a “sandwich” of a family consisting of an older sibling and a younger sibling, everyone’s “best friend” and a former Boy Scout – grew up as a young man. Went. A dear girlfriend – cannot let her or others in Gaza be at the mercy of any political agenda.
“I’m a guy coming from New York City – and we talk less, we see actions. The activities of the past year show the opposite.” Chen said. “He can say whatever he wants. I don’t believe anything that comes out of his mouth, I believe what he does.”
The father of three also urged the Biden administration to question whether explicitly supporting Netanyahu is still in America’s strategic interest.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
“There is no accountability on the part of either side for failed negotiations,” Chen said, referring to both Israel and Hamas. “You don’t see any equation that says, ‘Okay, if you don’t do A, the consequences will be’.” , “There are no consequences associated with any negative action to the strategic interests of the United States.”
Chen also argued that there is a need to put “effective pressure” on Hamas by reevaluating what other “pressure points” can be used.
The father pointed to the clear need for strict economic and diplomatic engagement when it comes to international aid sent to Gaza – including tough sanctions not only on conflict countries. On partner countries allowing assistance To flow into Gaza.
This includes closer monitoring of humanitarian aid provided by the United Nations, which, although meant for the Palestinian people, is falling into the hands of Hamas, a group that is not designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations.
Hamas has long been accused of confiscating basic goods in Gaza and then reselling them in black marketing scheme At exorbitant prices.
Reports have further indicated that Hamas has for years Substantial access to monetary support taken away Funds provided by top organizations such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have been used directly for combat operations against Israel, including tunnel construction and access to weapons.
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Itay Chen’s father appealed to President Biden to help his family find his son. (Obtained by Fox News)
But in addition to the substantial need to address aid-based concerns, Chen also argued that diplomatic solutions are not being fully recognized by the US
Countries such as Russia and Thailand secured the release of their citizens held by Hamas, and Chen argued that Washington – which a few months ago was able to negotiate with its biggest rival to free US citizens from Russian prisons – One must work to secure the same. Release of people held in Gaza.
“So, it’s possible,” Chen said. “Complicated, yes. Doable, yes.”
“The assumption that was put to us at the beginning was that the American hostages would come out through a larger agreement that Israel would be part of. And if that assumption is not working after a year, then yes, we need to do that.” There is a need to challenge the administration and look at that perception.
“Is it still valid after a year?”
