Itay Stern

A military cantor sang prayers for Itay Chen, an Israeli-American soldier who was killed in combat on October 7th, 2023, then taken into Gaza by Hamas-led militants.

President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, gave a eulogy by video, saying Chen reminded him of his own late son, Andrew.

Chen's father, Ruby, thanked Presidents Biden and Trump for their efforts to bring home his son's remains, and he vowed to hold Israeli government accountable for not doing enough to bring more hostages home alive.

He noted that 42 soldiers and civilians abducted to Gaza died during their time in captivity.

Itay Stern, NPR News, Tel Aviv.