NYC dad says goodbye to hero son Itay Chen, who Hamas killed

The Brooklyn dad of the final slain Israeli-American hostage to have his body released by Hamas bid farewell to his son Sunday, describing him as a hero and vowing to hold responsible all those who allowed the Oct. 7 massacre to happen.

Grieving father Ruby Chen gave his son Itay Chen, 19, one last salute during his funeral at Tel Aviv’s Kiryat Shaul cemetery, days after Hamas released the teen’s body and shattered the father’s final hope that his son could be alive.

“Itay, I prayed for a different ending, but of all the possibilities that could have happened, of all the scenarios that raced through my mind, this was still the least terrible outcome of them all,” Chen said in a statement.

The heartbroken father hailed his son as a hero along with his fellow tank crew who were tasked with protecting Kibbutz Nahal Oz before they were ambushed by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Chen also gave his thanks to President Trump and former President Joe Biden for their work over the past two years to help free his son and provide his family the closure they needed.

Chen gave a special shoutout to the members of Trump’s team who maintained contact with him on his son’s status, including Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“Our journey has been a long one to bring Itay home, but we found many allies, good people who felt our suffering and pain and wanted to help us bring the hostages home,” Chen said.

Itay’s mother, Hagit Chen, also offered her thanks for helping reunite her family as she delivered a tearful eulogy at her son’s funeral.

“I’m sorry you waited so long to come home,” she said through tears, according to the Times of Israel.

“I wanted you to be a hero, but without paying with your life,” the mother lamented of her soldier son.

Ruby Chen vowed to his son that he would keep advocating for the release of the bodies of the remaining five slain hostages in Gaza and hold accountable those who failed Israel’s security during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.

The father has been among the most vocal advocates calling for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the security failures that allowed Hamas to invade Israel, kill more than 1,200 people and kidnap another 251 others.

Many of the officials in charge of Israel’s defense have since resigned over their alleged failures, but critics are still seeking to also hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable.

“A whole nation now stands and waits for answers, waiting for justice to be both seen and done with those responsible for the catastrophe,” Ruby Chen said at the funeral.