During a visit to Israel, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the commitment of the United States to recover the remains of deceased hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza. This pledge came after meeting with the families of two American-Israeli captives, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra.
Rubio conveyed his sentiments on social media platform X, stating, “We will not forget the lives of the hostages who died in the captivity of Hamas.” His visit underscored the ongoing humanitarian concerns stemming from the conflict, particularly regarding the families affected by the loss of their loved ones.
Chen, a dual citizen and sergeant in the Israeli army, was on service near the Gaza Strip when Hamas launched an attack on October 7, 2023. He was reported deceased in March 2024, after being confirmed as killed in combat, with his body believed to have been held in Gaza. Neutra, another dual citizen, was a volunteer soldier who also lost his life during the same assault. Originally from New York, Neutra moved to Israel to connect with his roots and eventually enlisted for military service, as is customary for young Israelis.
Following this discussion, Rubio engaged in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss collaborative efforts surrounding a plan aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This conversation was part of a broader dialogue reaffirming the strong bilateral relationship between the United States and Israel.
The remarks made by Rubio received positive feedback from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an Israeli advocacy group. They expressed gratitude for his attention to the plight of the families, emphasizing the need for closure and calling for efforts to ensure all hostages come home.
The context of Rubio’s visit is framed by the ceasefire brokered by the US, which has thus far led to the release of all living hostages held by Hamas, totaling twenty individuals, alongside the remains of 15 deceased hostages returned to Israel. Nonetheless, thirteen bodies remain in Gaza, heightening the urgency for their return and closure for the respective families.
Following the ceasefire, which commenced on October 10, hostilities have diminished, but Israeli air strikes were reported on the following Sunday, resulting in numerous casualties in Gaza. Israel justified the strikes as a response to attacks on its troops, despite an overall return to a ceasefire agreement. The dynamics of this situation continue to evolve, affecting countless lives amid the ongoing conflict.
