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Who is Ilan Troen? Boston professor’s daughter and son-in-law shot dead in Hamas attack on Israel

Ilan Troen's daughter Debbie Shahar Troen Mathias and son-in-law Shlomi Mathias died in the Hamas attack

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS: Boston-born octogenarian academic Ilan Troen, 83, lost his daughter and son-in-law in the series of attacks carried on by the Palestinian extremist group Hamas on Israel on Saturday, October 7.

Troen, who was a professor of Israel Studies at the Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, recently retired from his position and moved to Israel to be with his family.

Professor Troen, during an interview with NPR from a hospital room of Soroka Hospital in Israel, said that his daughter Debbie Shahar Troen Mathias and son-in-law Shlomi Mathias lost their lives in the terror attack.

However, they shielded their teenage son, who, though injured, is now undergoing treatment at the hospital. 

Professor Ilan Troen mourns the death of his family members

During the interview, Troen shared that his daughter and her family were in a safe room inside their room. The room, nevertheless, got infiltrated by the Hamas militants. Troen’s grandson was saved by his parents as they flung their bodies to protect him.

The veteran academician said, “My daughter and son-in-law were killed today, but, in their dying, saved his life,” before adding, “They followed his body.”

Professor Troen continued, “They were all together in the secure room. And they covered his body, and he was saved. Nevertheless, a bullet penetrated them and went into his abdomen.”

Professor Troen’s alma mater during his undergraduate studies and his workplace, Brandeis University, too issued a statement to mourn the deaths, per Daily Mail.

They wrote, “We at Brandeis are deeply saddened to learn that Professor Troen has lost his daughter and son-in-law in the tragic events that are currently taking place in Israel.”

“Ilan, a Brandeis alumnus, and his family have long been treasured members of the Brandeis community, and we hold Ilan, his wife Carol, and his entire family in our thoughts,” they continued before adding, “We condemn in the strongest way terrorism such as we have seen today perpetrated against innocent civilians.”

Historian Martin Kramer mourned the loss and wrote on X, “My friend Ilan Troen, who has done so much for Israel studies in America, has suffered an unimaginable loss.”

He also added, “He just recently retired from Brandeis and returned home to Israel. A miracle wrapped in tragedy."

How many Americans died in the Hamas attack?

Per CNN, Senator Chuck Schumer said on Sunday, October 8, at least four Americans lost their lives in the brutal attack. The US officials further added that they expect the death toll to rise.

In a statement, Democratic Sen Schumer said, “Unfortunately, we know there are Americans who were killed. The Administration told us that they know of four thus far, but, sadly, we know the toll will rise.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier on Sunday that they were “working overtime” to verify the numbers of Americans who were either reported missing or dead after the attack in Israel.

He said to CNN, “We have reports that several Americans were killed. We’re working overtime to verify that. At the same time, there are reports of missing Americans and there again, we’re working to verify those reports.”