On Wednesday, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the body handed over by Hamas belongs to Itay Chen, a 19-year-old U.S.–Israeli combat soldier who served in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade near the Gaza border. His family and friends are finally getting some closure after months of uncertainty. 🙏
Chen was abducted during Hamas’s surprise attack in October 2023, and his remains were transferred to Israeli forces through the Red Cross in Gaza as part of the ongoing ceasefire exchange. If you’re tracking updates on your favorite news apps or scrolling through TikTok (#GazaCeasefire), this handover is one of several prisoner and remains swaps agreed since October 10.
Before Chen’s remains were returned, Hamas had handed over the bodies of 20 hostages in earlier rounds. Meanwhile, the ceasefire has dialed down Israeli airstrikes but hasn’t completely halted cross-border tensions. According to Gaza health authorities, at least 240 Palestinians have been killed and over 600 wounded since October 11.
What’s a ceasefire, anyway? Think of it like pausing a video game battle: both sides agree to stop active fighting for a set time, often to negotiate or exchange hostages. While not a permanent peace deal, these pauses can open doors for humanitarian aid to reach civilians caught in the crossfire. 🚑
For young netizens in South and Southeast Asia, staying updated means juggling news apps on our phones between classes, jobs, or coffee runs. We’ll keep an eye on how this exchange shapes future negotiations in Gaza. Stay tuned for real-time updates and join the conversation online. 🌐
Reference(s):
Israel says remains received from Hamas are of U.S.-Israeli soldier
cgtn.com
