From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Itay Chen’s brothers eulogize slain hostage at funeral, thank public for support
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
Alon Chen, whose bar mitzvah was held in the weeks after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, eulogizes his older brother, Itay Chen.
He speaks about things that remind him of his brother and how much he wishes he could see him again.
Roi Chen, Chen’s older brother, describes how their family’s life changed forever on October 7. He notes the unity, the acts of loyalty and grace, the families who entered deep into their hearts during the more than two years of struggle.
He thanks the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, and those among the public who took to the streets to remind them they weren’t alone.
“You are the reason my family was able to keep going during these long two years,” says Chen.
He says his brother is the last soldier to be brought back from the October 7 battle and names the final five hostages whose bodies are still held in Gaza.
Roi Chen says the bereaved families all deserve an independent commission to investigate what happened on October 7.
The Times of Israel Community.