Rubio and Huckabee meet households of American hostages whose our bodies are in Gaza

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee met with the households of Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, two U.S. residents whose our bodies have been held hostage in Gaza since they had been killed within the Oct. 7, 2023, assaults.

"We is not going to overlook the lives of the hostages who died within the captivity of Hamas. As we speak I met with the households of Americans Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. We is not going to relaxation till their — and all — stays are returned," Rubio wrote in a submit on X.

He included a photograph of himself and Huckabee sitting with the households.

Huckabee additionally posted in regards to the assembly and stated that Rubio's visit to Israel was "very productive in shifting ahead" the U.S.-brokered Gaza peace plan. Nevertheless, he added that "[before the] plan can work, ALL hostages have to be launched!"

PARENTS OF SLAIN US-ISRAELI HOSTAGE FEAR LOSING THEIR SON 'FOREVER' AS HAMAS FAILS TO RETURN REMAINS

<source media="(max-width: 767px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/343/192/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/686/384/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="192" width="343"><source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/672/378/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1344/756/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/931/523/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1862/1046/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"><source media="(min-width: 1280px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/720/405/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/10/1440/810/itay-chen-omer-neutra-marco-rubio-mike-huckabee-israel-gaza-war-hostages.jpg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="405" width="720"> The dad and mom of twin U.S.-Israeli residents Itay Chen and Omer Neutra meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. (The Chen Household)

Ruby Chen, Itay's father, instructed Fox Information Digital that it was the fifth time that he met with Rubio since he grew to become secretary of state.

"It was necessary for us to obtain power from him after quite a lot of days of no hostage releases," Ruby Chen instructed Fox Information Digital. "He gave us his dedication [that] they're targeted on the discharge of all of the remaining hostages with an emphasis on my son, a U.S. citizen. The secretary promised he'll go our assembly highlights to POTUS he's assembly later right now in Qatar."

Ruby Chen additionally met with Vice President JD Vance and second girl Usha Vance, in addition to U.S. Particular Envoy Steve Witkoff, throughout their current go to to Israel.

Ronen Neutra, Omer's father, additionally spoke with Fox Information Digital in regards to the assembly. He stated that they "realized that the belief is that Hamas is attempting to realize time by prolonging the return of the hostages" in order that the phobia group can transfer freely within the areas that not have Israeli troopers.

"After all of the work that President Trump and his administration did, they should get the People again," Ronen Neutra stated, referring to his son and Itay Chen. "We should get our sons again and get our closure, and begin to cope with the grief course of, one thing that we have been suspending for the final two years."

Ronen Neutra additionally expressed his gratitude in the direction of the Trump administration for its efforts to finish the struggle and get all hostages — dwelling and deceased — residence.

The our bodies of Americans Itay Chen, left, and Omer Neutra, proper, haven't but been returned to Israel by Hamas. (The Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board)

EXCLUSIVE: RUBIO SAYS US-ISRAEL ALLIANCE REMAINS FIRM AS HE HEADS TO QATAR AMID BACKLASH OVER DOHA STRIKES

All dwelling hostages are actually out of Gaza, however the stays of 13 deceased hostages haven't been returned by Hamas. The Israeli authorities has reiterated its name for Hamas to return the stays of all of the hostages.

Neutra and Chen's parents had been vocal advocates for the discharge of the dwelling and deceased hostages. In July 2024, Neutra's dad and mom spoke on the Republican National Convention , whereas Chen's dad and mom spoke on the Democratic Nationwide Conference in August 2024. They've additionally met with individuals all over the world, together with a number of officers, as they struggle to get their sons again.

A drone view exhibits a rally held by hostage households and supporters at "Hostages Sq." in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 18, 2025. (Ilan Rosenberg/Reuters)

Chen, a 19-year-old twin U.S.-Israeli citizen, was initially believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, whereas serving alongside the Gaza border, however he was later declared lifeless by the Israel Protection Forces (IDF). His physique continues to be held by Hamas in Gaza.