We often think about the days before Oct. 7, 2023. Looking back now, we realize our lives were so simple and our problems were trivial. Our son Itay was just starting his adult life. While our lives have greatly changed over the past year, the tragedy we wake up to every morning has not. There are still 101 hostages, including our son, who remain captive in Gaza. Now, we spend each day in government meetings, protesting in the streets and running to the ends of the Earth to bring Itay and the rest of the hostages home.
Itay is an American citizen and Israel Defense Forces soldier who was stationed on the Israeli border with Gaza on Oct. 7. He bravely fought to protect Israeli civilians and was abducted and kidnapped into Gaza.
A year after Oct. 7, we wonder how much longer we have to beg world leaders to do their jobs and secure a hostage release deal…Netanyahu and his government have failed our son and all the hostages.
On March 12, we heard a knock on our front door that still rings loud in our ears. Our stomachs dropped as we opened the door and were told our precious son had been murdered by Hamas terrorists. With so much misinformation swirling around this conflict, we still don’t know what to believe. We question whether or not he survived. We are holding out hope that Itay is still alive.
A year after Oct. 7, we wonder how much longer we have to beg world leaders to do their jobs and secure a hostage release deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government have failed our son and all the hostages. Each day a deal is delayed — and our children, parents, brothers and sisters remain in the hands of ruthless terrorists — is another second they are closer to death.
Prime Minister Netanyahu promised a deal was imminent when he addressed Congress back in July. His lies erode our sense of hope. Qatar and Egypt have failed to effectively pressure Hamas to accept a deal, and each time we are close, Hamas pushes the goalpost.
Will one year turn into two? Or three? Will this unimaginable nightmare continue forever?
Our family is deeply appreciative of the Biden administration’s tireless efforts to secure an immediate and total release. But it is not enough.
Last week in Washington, we met with national security adviser Jake Sullivan for our 13th in-person meeting. We met with CIA Director William Burns and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Although our meetings have been productive, we ask that key assumptions be challenged, methods be re-evaluated and new tactics be considered.
Itay and the 100 other hostages are depending on us. This administration is running out of time before the election and a changing of the guard. Nothing should hold them back from securing a deal to release the hostages — who include seven U.S. citizens. We just observed Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish New Year. This holiday is a moment for serious introspection and anticipation for what is to come. We traditionally eat apples and honey to signify a “sweet” start. What could possibly be “sweet” about this new year? How many more holidays will there be an empty chair at our table? Our Rosh Hashanah wishes were simple: Do everything to bring the hostages home now. Before it is too late. Our family forever broke on Oct. 7. Since then, we wear tape on our clothes reminding the world of how many days we have endured life without Itay. As we prepare to write “365” days and tape that number to our chests, we ask: How much longer? The remaining hostages are being executed, and we are on borrowed time. As the anniversary of the worst day of our lives approaches, we ask everyone to think of their own families. What would you do to bring your loved one home? Imagine the ends of the Earth to which you’d run to see them maybe just once more. Enough is enough. Our world leaders must get the deal done now.
Ruby and Hagit Chen
Ruby and Hagit Chen are the parents of Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American member of the IDF who was stationed near Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023. Ruby and Hagit live in Israel with their two other children. 
