Last Hamas hostage with German nationality buried in Tel Aviv

The last hostage held by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas who also held German nationality has been buried in Israel.

Thousands of people bid farewell to Itay Chen at a cemetery in Tel Aviv on Sunday, according to media reports. Hamas handed over his remains to staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

Chen was an Israeli soldier who also held German and US citizenship. According to the Israeli army, he was killed at the age of 19 during the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, and his body was reportedly taken to the Gaza Strip.

Herzog calls Chen “hero of Israel”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered the eulogy. “Beloved Itay Chen, hero of Israel,” said Herzog, “after more than two years of longing, anguish, and pain – you have finally returned home. Today, we stand here together, as a people and a nation, to lay to rest a hero whose story has become a national symbol, whose name is known around the world.”

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff also paid tribute to Chen in a video message. “On October 7, 2023, when terror and chaos swept across the state of Israel, Itay Chen stood his ground in defence of others,” he said.

“In those harrowing moments, Itay revealed the quiet heroism that defines true courage, the willingness to face unthinkable danger so that others may live.”

“Itay’s story is not one of defeat,” said the US mediator.

“His family’s devotion, and the compassion and unity it has stirred around the world, is proof positive that love outlasts fear, outlasts hatred, and outlasts even death itself”