Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, an IDF soldier taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, expressed frustration and a sense of failure in a sit-down interview with Fox News Digital. Itay has been held captive in Gaza for a year, following an attack on his unit by Hamas terrorists. Despite being given access to top agencies and officials like the White House, CIA Director, and Treasury Secretary, the efforts to secure the release of hostages have fallen short, leaving the families feeling abandoned and desperate.
After the initial attack in October, Israel launched a strategy to secure the release of hostages by targeting suspected Hamas positions in Gaza. While some hostages have been released following negotiations or rescue operations, none of the eight American hostages have been freed. There are still over 100 hostages, with Chen and other families urging for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas to return the captives. However, disagreements over security corridors in Gaza have stalled progress, leading to a deadlock in negotiations for the release of hostages.
Chen highlighted the lack of a solid plan for a post-conflict scenario in Gaza, which allows Hamas to continue holding onto hostages as a bargaining chip. This situation has been further complicated by Israel’s military incursion into southern Lebanon and the ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah. The actions of political leaders, particularly Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, have raised doubts about the prioritization of hostages over broader regional conflicts and political agendas.
The Chen family emphasized the need for more effective pressure on Hamas, including reevaluating economic and diplomatic involvement and oversight of international aid being sent to Gaza. Chen argued that tougher sanctions and measures are required to prevent aid from falling into the hands of Hamas and being used for militant activities against Israel. He also pointed out that the U.S. should follow the examples of other nations, like Russia and Thailand, in negotiating the release of their citizens held by Hamas.
Despite the challenges and lack of progress in securing the release of hostages, the Chens remain determined to fight for the return of their son and other captives. They have questioned the assumptions and strategies that have been in place for over a year and called for greater accountability from both Israeli and Hamas leadership. The ongoing ordeal has left families feeling abandoned and ignored, hoping for a breakthrough in negotiations and diplomatic efforts to bring their loved ones home.
