The release of any remaining hostages being held by Hamas must take priority over other issues being discussed, including Iran’s status or the potential for the United States to take over Gaza after the war is over, Ruby Chen, the father of Itay Chen, a U.S.-Israeli soldier with the Israel Defense Forces, told Newsmax Sunday.

Chen’s son, 19, was reportedly killed on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas assault on Israel. The family has held out hope, however, that he was not killed but is being held hostage.

“I’ve been to the White House multiple times, and I know that President Trump puts the hostages at a very high priority for his team,” Chen said on Newsmax’s “Wake Up America Weekend.” “Mr. Steve Witkoff, God bless him, he has been flying over the Middle East and doing whatever he can to make this deal continue.”

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