Haaretz Podcast

'If I need to talk to the devil to get the hostages out, I will'

Mar 22, 2025

In this gripping discussion, Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American IDF soldier taken hostage, shares his heartbreaking perspective on the ongoing crisis. He passionately advocates for better government efforts to secure the release of hostages, expressing frustration over being sidelined in negotiations. Chen reveals the emotional turmoil of families caught in a brutal game of uncertainty, emphasizing the urgent need for innovative diplomatic strategies. His unwavering commitment to finding his son highlights the human cost behind political decisions.

36:48

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Episode guests

Ruby Chen

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The resumption of military action in Gaza has left hostage families feeling despondent and marginalized in ongoing negotiations for their loved ones' release.

Ruby Chen highlights the struggle against political gamesmanship, emphasizing the need for genuine commitments from the Israeli government to prioritize hostage recovery efforts.

Deep dives

Renewed Military Conflict in Gaza

Israel has resumed military attacks on Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement intended to facilitate the release of hostages. The first phase of the deal, which was implemented after intense negotiations involving U.S. administrations, resulted in 33 hostages being returned, yet 59 more remain in captivity. The reinstatement of military action has left families of the hostages feeling despondent, as they had hoped the agreement would lead to more successful negotiations for the safe return of their loved ones. This renewed conflict raises questions about the effectiveness and rationale behind the Israeli government's approach to dealing with Hamas.

Intro

3min

The Personal Stories Behind the Label of Hostage

2min

The Hostage Crisis: Emotions and Negotiations

22min

Navigating Trauma and Uncertainty in the Quest for Closure

3min

Navigating U.S. Foreign Policy and Israel's Military Actions

2min

A Heartfelt Tribute and Call to Action

6min

Israel’s decision to return to full-scale war in Gaza was a devastating and tragic turn of events for the families of hostages still being held there, Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American IDF soldier, said on the Haaretz Podcast.

“It feels as if the hostages and their families are being viewed now as collateral damage,” said Chen, who has not taken a day off from the families’ struggle in over 530 days. “The current government has not done everything in its power to prioritize the release of all the hostages.”

That hostage families feel they must direct their appeals to President Donald Trump is a “testament against the current Israeli government. The newly released hostages didn’t get on a minibus and go to Jerusalem to meet the prime minister. They got on a plane and went to the White House.”

Last year, the Chen family was told by the IDF that Itay was killed on October 7, and his body is held in Gaza, but Ruby Chen stresses that Hamas has not provided any evidence regarding his son’s condition, and the family won’t sit Shiva and mourn Itay until he is back in Israel.

For the families of the 59 remaining hostages - dead and alive - the current situation is “a game of Russian roulette,” he said. “We don't know who is coming out and when. And we don't know who's going to hug and kiss their loved one, and who will need to prepare a funeral and a Shiva.”

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Haaretz Podcast

'If I need to talk to the devil to get the hostages out, I will'

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Renewed Military Conflict in Gaza

The Plight of Hostage Families

Frustrations with Government Negotiations

The Role of External Influence

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts