Last Hamas hostage with German nationality buried in Tel Aviv

 The last hostage held by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas who also held German nationality has been buried in Israel.

Thousands of people bid farewell to Itay Chen at a cemetery in Tel Aviv on Sunday, according to media reports. Hamas handed over his remains to staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

Chen was an Israeli soldier who also held German and US citizenship. According to the Israeli army, he was killed at the age of 19 during the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023, and his body was reportedly taken to the Gaza Strip.

Chen's father thanks Biden, Witkoff

Itay's father praised former US president Joe Biden and his National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who were in power when his son was killed and taken hostage.

"We will always be grateful to President Biden and his team that provided us an envelope of support," Ruby Chen said, according to a statement published by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Chen did not directly thank US President Donald Trump but said that after his election, he urged the Biden administration to coordinate with the new government to bring his son's remains home to Israel.

Chen praised Trump aide Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

"Steve was so instrumental in having President Trump adopt all the hostages and specifically explaining to him why the families of the fallen hostages like Itay need so much to have them back with us and have a place to mourn," Chen said.

He also thanked US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Hagat Chen, Itay's mother, was less political in a statement that expressed her sorrow about losing her son, who was 19 when he was killed.

"I'm so proud to be your mother, and I miss you terribly, and I don't know how it's possible to live with such a broken heart," she said, adding that she was very grateful that his body was returned while she is still alive and that her two other sons are spared having to try to get it back.

Herzog calls Chen "hero of Israel"

Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivered the eulogy. "Beloved Itay Chen, hero of Israel," said Herzog, "after more than two years of longing, anguish, and pain – you have finally returned home. Today, we stand here together, as a people and a nation, to lay to rest a hero whose story has become a national symbol, whose name is known around the world."

Witkoff also paid tribute to Chen in a video message. "On October 7, 2023, when terror and chaos swept across the state of Israel, Itay Chen stood his ground in defence of others," he said.

"In those harrowing moments, Itay revealed the quiet heroism that defines true courage, the willingness to face unthinkable danger so that others may live."

"Itay's story is not one of defeat," said the US mediator.

"His family's devotion, and the compassion and unity it has stirred around the world, is proof positive that love outlasts fear, outlasts hatred, and outlasts even death itself"

Hamas hands over body of soldier allegedly abducted in 2014

Meanwhile, Hamas said on Sunday it has handed over another body to staff of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The remains are said to be those of soldier Hadar Goldin, who was 23 when he was abducted on August 1, 2014 during a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza war at the time. His body had been held in the Gaza Strip ever since.

The Israeli army confirmed on Sunday that a coffin had been handed over to the Red Cross and was being delivered to Israeli troops in Gaza. However, it said only a forensic examination in Israel would confirm whether the remains are indeed Goldin’s.