Grieving family of slain IDF soldier receives chilling message from military app

The grieving family of Sergeant Itay Chen, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier who was killed in the October 7 Hamas attack and whose body was abducted into Gaza, received a shocking and deeply painful notification this week from a military service tracking app. The alert, sent by the popular Pazam App, stated: “Itay Chen is being released today – have you congratulated him yet?”—a message typically sent to soldiers completing their mandatory service.

Chen, who served as an armored combat soldier, fell during the battle at Nahal Oz on October 7, one of the bloodiest days in Israel’s recent history. His remains were taken into Gaza by Hamas, and he is among several soldiers and civilians who are presumed dead but have not yet been returned to Israel for proper burial. The unexpected and tone-deaf nature of the app notification has caused significant distress to Chen’s family, who are still awaiting the return of their son’s body.

The incident was first brought to public attention by journalist Bar Shem-Or on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where it quickly gained traction and sparked public outrage over the perceived insensitivity.

In response to the controversy, the Pazam App issued a statement clarifying that it has long received varied requests from bereaved families. “Over the years, we have received requests from bereaved families who asked us to continue counting the days of IDF service for their loved ones, in addition to other requests to stop the counting,” the app's developers explained. “We consider it of utmost importance to respect the wishes of the families and relatives, and respond sensitively to their requests.”

The app emphasized that it does not make autonomous decisions regarding service tracking and instead follows the preferences of individual families. “It is not our responsibility to make any decisions or change anything – this is solely up to the families,” the statement continued. “In these difficult and complex days, our hearts are with the families of the hostages. We send our prayers for their speedy and safe return.”

While the Pazam App’s intentions may have been neutral, the emotional toll on Itay Chen’s family highlights the complex and sensitive nature of digital memorialization, particularly in times of ongoing national trauma. The incident serves as a painful reminder of the unfinished grief many Israeli families continue to endure.