Itay Chen, a 19-year-old IDF soldier, was killed during Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 in the Nahal Oz area. His body was abducted to the Gaza Strip along with crew members from his tank unit.
Hamas transferred Chen’s casket to Red Cross representatives in Gaza City on 4 November 2025. The IDF inspected the casket, draped it in an Israeli flag, and conducted a brief ceremony before removing it from the Strip.
Chen’s remains were escorted to the Abu Kabir forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification. His family, who had not observed shiva until his return, confirmed he was now home after 760 days.