From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Family of slain hostage Itay Chen presses PM to establish commission of inquiry
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Ruby and Hagit Chen, the parents of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, whose body was returned for burial to Israel last night, say they spoke to both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Ruby Chen says that he told the prime minister that Itay’s sacrifice “must not be in vain,” and that Israel must not return to the divisive discourse that was widespread before October 7, 2023.
He notes that he told Netanyahu that a commission of inquiry must be established, that the people of Israel deserve answers about what happened on that terrible day, particularly the 2,000 bereaved families “and the tens of thousands who were wounded in body and soul.”
Chen says they also spoke at length with Witkoff, who expressed his deep respect for the family’s long campaign to bring their son home.
Chen adds that Witkoff said their family helped US President Donald Trump understand the importance of returning both hostages and fallen soldiers, and strengthened the American commitment to continue that effort.
The Chens reiterate that there are still seven hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza, listing them by name: Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Meny Godard, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, Joshua Mollel and Sudthisak Rinthalak.
The Times of Israel Community.