Itay Chen identified: remaining hostages in Gaza conflict sink!

Itay Chen identified: remaining hostages in Gaza conflict sink!

The situation in the Middle East remains tense, as on November 5, 2025, the Israeli army reported that it had found the identity of a hostage returned by Hamas: Itay Chen. This brings the number of hostage bodies still missing to seven. Chen was stationed on the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, when the devastating attack by Hamas and its allies began that sparked the current war. The soldier was in a tank and last had contact with his parents before his fate remained uncertain for five months. It was only in March 2024 that the Israeli army officially announced his death after he was killed in battle and his body ended up in Palestinian territory.

Since the ceasefire began on October 10, 2023, Hamas has released the last 20 living hostages held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2023. These released hostages were handed over to Israel in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. In total, 21 of the 28 hostages who were killed have already been returned, and Israel is continuing to do everything it can to recover the bodies that are still missing.

The role of Hamas in the conflict

Hamas, founded in 1987, has led the Gaza Strip since 2007 and is perceived as both a military and political force. Originally supported by Israel as a counterweight to the PLO, it has been involved in several conflicts with Israel since coming to power. The most recently escalated situation began with the massacre on October 7, 2023, in which almost 1,200 Israelis died and around 250 people were kidnapped. This horrific event led to a massive military response by the Israeli army in Gaza that continues to the present.

In recent years, the image of Hamas in the region has changed. While the group is criticized for its military attacks, it also provides social welfare by running schools and hospitals in Gaza. These services bolster local support, but numerous allegations of human rights abuses, such as the use of civilians as human shields, cast a shadow over their policies.

Ceasefire and international perspectives

Against this background, Israel and Hamas have agreed on a ceasefire, which is part of a comprehensive Middle East plan by US President Donald Trump. This plan includes not only the release of hostages, but also the increase in humanitarian aid deliveries and the gradual release of Palestinian prisoners. The CDU's Norbert Röttgen expressed optimism about the plan's prospects, while peace researcher Claudia Baumgart-Ochse warned that a "positive peace" was still a long way off. There are deep injuries in the region that will take years to heal.

Despite the current ceasefire, the implementation of current agreements remains uncertain. Experts warn that many questions remain unanswered and that rebuilding Gaza's destroyed infrastructure will take a long time. Simon Wolfgang Fuchs, an Islamic scholar, sees a ray of hope in the ceasefire, but he is also skeptical about the negotiations for the return of all hostages and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

In summary, the situation in Gaza and Israel has both human and geopolitical dimensions that can only be resolved through long-term solutions and trust between the parties involved. Peace is still a long way off, but any step towards dialogue could be an important start. The local population remains trapped in insecurity and hope for an end to the violence lives on. The support of the international community and thinking remains required for the construction of a lasting peace.