Hostage Itay Chen’s father still prays for ‘a miracle’ he’s alive

The Brooklyn-born father of an Israeli-American believed to be among those murdered by Hamas said Sunday that he’s still holding out hope for “a miracle” that his son might come home alive.

While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told Itay Chen’s family that the 19-year-old was among those killed, they were unable to give definitive proof, his father, Ruby Chen, told CNN

“The knowledge of the IDF that indeed he was killed, we do not have that physical evidence. That’s missing,” the father said while anxiously awaiting the expected handover of living hostages on Monday.

“That leaves some sort of doubt that hopefully, even tomorrow, there might be some sort of surprise for us,” he said. “A miracle.”

Chen is among the 48 hostages who are set to be released during the President Trump-brokered exchange between Israel and Hamas, which is set to include 20 hostages who are still alive.

Ruby, a Brooklyn native, said his family has been left in a state of anxiety and suspense since they were first informed in March 2-024 that their son was understood to be among the dead.

Chen, one of two Israeli-Americans still set to be released, was identified by the IDF as a member of the Armored Brigade’s 75th Battalion killed by the terrorist group near the Gaza border.

Like the families of the 25 other hostages presumed to be dead — and the two whose status are unknown — Ruby said the looming exchange serves as “a mixed bag of emotions” as they await confirmation of their loved-one’s fate.

“On one hand, excitement for those that will be able to hug their loved ones. Anticipation that finally this chapter of the people of Israel that began two years ago will finally come to an end,” he told the outlet.

“[On the other hand] the anxiety that some of the 28 families will not be reunited with their loved ones and will be still stuck in this chapter,” he added.

Israel’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine said it was ready to use advanced technology, fingerprints, dental matching and DNA extraction to identify any released bodies.

It could take days to identify them all with certainty, with the families of the captives set to be informed first by the Israeli Health Ministry.

During the last hostage exchange, Hamas incorrectly delivered the body of an unknown Palestinian woman instead of slain mother Shiri Bibas, causing worldwide outrage and nearly sinking the short-lived cease-fire agreement.