Hamas returned to Israel on Tuesday the body of U.S.-Israeli hostage Itay Chen as part of the agreement to end the war in Gaza.
The big picture: Chen was the last U.S. hostage held in Gaza. The return of his body ended the most serious U.S. hostage crisis since the takeover of the embassy in Tehran in 1979.
Catch up quick: Chen was one of 12 Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks.
- He served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and was stationed at the Nahal Oz base, near Israel's border with Gaza.
- Five months after the Oct. 7 attacks, the IDF announced that Chen was killed in action on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants crossed into Israel and attacked his base.
- His body was then taken by Hamas militants to Gaza.
Zoom out: Chen's parents, Rubi and Hagit Chen, were leading the campaign for the release of American hostages held by Hamas.
