Brooklyn Resident Confirmed Dead In Hamas Attacks

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn-based 'son, brother, and a New Yorker' named Itay Chen is confirmed to have died during the Hamas attack on Israel Oct. 7, Mayor Eric Adams said on X Wednesday.

Chen, 19, was serving with the Israel Defense Forces as a U.S.-Israeli citizen and was stationed near the Gaza border on the day of the Hamas attack, according to New York's Senator Chuck Schumer. The Hamas terrorists still "cruelly hold on to his remains," Schumer said, adding that he will "work limitlessly" to ensure Chen's body comes home.

"We mourn his loss and we redouble our prayers and efforts to bring all the hostages home to their families," Adams wrote. "It is the path to peace."

In his own statement, President Joe Biden wrote Tuesday that Chen's father and brother had joined him at the White House in December to "share the agony and uncertainty they've faced as they prayed for the safe return of their loved one" and that he is "devastated" by Itay's death.

"No one should have to endure even one day of what [Chen's family] have gone through," Biden added. "At the end of our meeting, they gave me a menorah—a solemn reminder that light will always dispel the darkness, and evil will not win. Today, as we join Itay’s parents, brothers, and family in grieving this tragic loss, we keep this reminder close to our hearts."

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 men, women and children hostage. Dozens of the deceased are U.S. residents.

After a round of exchanges for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in November, around 130 remained captive as of last month. A fourth of them are believed to be dead.

The Associated Press reported last month that the known Palestinian death toll was 27,478 people after nearly four months of war. A quarter of Gaza’s residents are now starving and 85% of the population has been driven from their homes.

"And I reaffirm my pledge to all the families of those still held hostage: we are with you," Biden said Tuesday. "We will never stop working to bring your loved ones home."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.