Rubio Vows to Secure Return of Deceased Hostage Bodies to Israel
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with families of captives during visit to Israel, promising to bring closure for all.
JERUSALEM: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to secure the return of all deceased hostages still held in Gaza.
During his meeting with the families of two captives on Saturday, he emphasized the commitment of the United States to retrieving the remains of those who lost their lives in captivity.
The Israeli campaign group, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, welcomed this statement, emphasizing that 13 hostages need to return home for their families to find closure.
Chen, a dual Israel-US national and an Israeli army sergeant, was working at the border with Gaza when Hamas and its allies launched an attack on October 7, 2023.
Five months later, in March 2024, the military announced his death, revealing that Chen's body had been taken to Gaza after he died in combat.
Neutra, another US-Israeli national and volunteer soldier, was killed during the initial attack on October 7, at the age of 21.
Raised in New York, Neutra moved to Israel to connect with his heritage before enlisting for military service, a common path among young Israelis.
Under the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on October 10, all 20 living hostages have been freed by Palestinian militants.
While the remains of 15 deceased hostages have already been returned to Israel, the bodies of 13 others remain in Gaza.
In exchange for these releases, Israel has freed nearly 2,000 prisoners, mostly Palestinians, along with dozens of Palestinian bodies.
Though the ceasefire has largely halted hostilities, Israeli forces resumed air strikes on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Gazans, according to the territory's health ministry.
This action followed an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting a reinforcement of the ceasefire.
During his meeting with the families of two captives on Saturday, he emphasized the commitment of the United States to retrieving the remains of those who lost their lives in captivity.
The Israeli campaign group, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, welcomed this statement, emphasizing that 13 hostages need to return home for their families to find closure.
Chen, a dual Israel-US national and an Israeli army sergeant, was working at the border with Gaza when Hamas and its allies launched an attack on October 7, 2023.
Five months later, in March 2024, the military announced his death, revealing that Chen's body had been taken to Gaza after he died in combat.
Neutra, another US-Israeli national and volunteer soldier, was killed during the initial attack on October 7, at the age of 21.
Raised in New York, Neutra moved to Israel to connect with his heritage before enlisting for military service, a common path among young Israelis.
Under the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on October 10, all 20 living hostages have been freed by Palestinian militants.
While the remains of 15 deceased hostages have already been returned to Israel, the bodies of 13 others remain in Gaza.
In exchange for these releases, Israel has freed nearly 2,000 prisoners, mostly Palestinians, along with dozens of Palestinian bodies.
Though the ceasefire has largely halted hostilities, Israeli forces resumed air strikes on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Gazans, according to the territory's health ministry.
This action followed an attack that killed two Israeli soldiers, prompting a reinforcement of the ceasefire.
