Witkoff says he’ll likely attend funeral of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen in Israel

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks to the media as US Vice President JD Vance and Jared Kushner stand next to him, in Kiryat Gat, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks to the media as US Vice President JD Vance and Jared Kushner stand next to him, in Kiryat Gat, Oct. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

US special envoy Steve Witkoff says he will likely be traveling to Israel over the weekend to attend the funeral of recently recovered Itay Chen, a slain Israeli-American hostage who was released earlier this week.

Staff Sgt. Itay Chen, 19, served in the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion and was killed while battling Hamas terrorists in his tank during the morning of October 7, 2023, in the Nahal Oz area. His body was then abducted to the Strip, along with other members of his crew.

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