On Oct. 7, 2023, my son Itay was taken hostage by Hamas during the group’s brutal attack on Israel. Itay is one of seven U.S. citizens among the now 100 hostages who have been held in Gaza since that horrific day. For more than 400 days, for my family, every moment of every day is filled with anguish as we search for ways to end this nightmare and bring him home.
The discovery earlier this month that Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old, was killed during the October 7th attack is heartbreaking. Like our son Itay, Omer is a U.S. citizen and the U.S. has an obligation to bring them home. For all the hostages, decisive action must be taken before it is too late.
President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Adam Boehler as the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs gives us renewed hope. Boehler’s wealth of experience, including his role in brokering the Abraham Accords, puts him in a unique position to navigate the complexities of hostage negotiations in the Middle East, with direct empowerment from the president-elect.
Direct negotiations
Unlike many U.S. officials, Boehler has the legal authority to engage directly with terrorist organizations such as Hamas, as permitted under the mandate of the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA). This authority provides a rare opportunity for Boehler to lead direct negotiations on behalf of the U.S. citizens currently held hostage, based on direct guidance from the president. After more than a year of stalled negotiations, Boehler has a responsibility to leverage this authority and immediately access the key players in the affair. His experience as a seasoned negotiator, working with some of the toughest actors in the region during the Abraham Accords, highlights his ability to positively navigate sensitive, high-stakes discussions.
Bridging divides
This humanitarian crisis must transcend political differences, and the current transition period in Washington offers a unique window to unify efforts across the aisle. During my latest visit to the U.S. Capitol, I was heartened to see that both the Biden and Trump administrations are coordinating closely to bring the hostages home.
In these critical transition weeks, this collaboration is even more crucial. The SPEHA must take an honest look at the full history of the hostage negotiations to date in order to take a fresh approach. Seamless synchronicity between the administrations should bring to bear all available diplomatic, intelligence and economic tools, maximizing pressure on Hamas and their backers.
Holding regional enablers accountable
Boehler must also use his platform to address the nations and organizations that enable Hamas. The ousting of Bashar Assad in Syria has added further complexity to the already tangled Middle East, potentially jeopardizing U.S. strategic interests with a new wave of instability. That is why this pivotal moment needs to be seized now, to put countries like Turkey and Qatar, which have historically provided safe havens and financial lifelines to Hamas, under pressure to dismantle these networks. As a NATO member, Turkey must decide whether it stands with its Western allies, supporting regional stability and economic growth, or with those who perpetrate terror. Similarly, Egypt, which receives significant U.S. aid, must be held accountable for monitoring its borders and halting the smuggling of weapons into Gaza. Boehler’s background in international development positions will help him lead these difficult but necessary conversations.
A legacy of leadership
The U.S. must demonstrate to the world that it values the lives of its citizens, no matter where they are. Boehler can ensure that America’s longstanding commitment to protecting its people remains unwavering. This requires a comprehensive strategy: direct negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of the U.S. citizens, stronger diplomatic pressure on regional actors, and the leveraging of U.S. financial and military influence to prioritize the release of all the hostages. Trump’s threat that there will be “hell to pay” if the hostages are not released by his inauguration must bring with it the necessary heat to demonstrate that this U.S. administration means business.
For families like mine, this is deeply personal. The empty seat at our table this past Thanksgiving was a painful reminder of what we’ve lost. Yet we continue to hope. We are praying for our own personal holiday miracle and to be reunited with Itay. Adam Boehler has the experience, authority and opportunity to turn that hope into reality. I urge him to act decisively, so no other American or any other family has to endure this pain.
Let’s not wait another day. Bring them home.
Ruby Chen is the father of Itay Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli-American held hostage by Hamas. Ruby and his wife, Hagit, live in Israel with their two other children.
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