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US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Sergeant Itai Chen who was announced today (Tuesday) as an IDF veteran.
Itay, an American citizen, fell on October 7 and his body was kidnapped to the Gaza Strip by Hamas.
"Our hearts are heavy. My wife Jill and I are heartbroken to learn that Ethi was killed by Hamas during the brutal terrorist attack on October 7," President Biden said.
The soldier Itai Chen/courtesy of the family
"My wife Jill and I are devastated to find out that Ethi was killed."
President Biden/Reuters
"In December, Itai's father and brother joined me at the White House to share the anguish and uncertainty they faced as they prayed for his return."
No one should have to suffer even for one day.
We share in the mourning of the Chen family for the tragic loss, and we will remember it close to our hearts.
I pledge to the families of the abductees: we are with you.
We won't stop until everyone returns home."
Itai Chen's educator at Ort N.S. Gutman in Netanya, Israela Shettler, told about him: "Itai was an exemplary student, he set himself a goal of going back up to 5 units in math and succeeded tremendously. He was a leading and smiling guy, who was very active throughout his school years with young SLA instructors, for him that was the thing and every Ort school in Netanya knew him from there." We hoped he would return, and his death is very painful and sad."
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