The family of a 21-year-old New Yorker believed to have been taken hostage on October 7 has been given the heartbreaking news that he died over a year ago.
Omer Maxim Neutra, a dual US-Israeli citizen, was believed to be one of the hostages still in Hamas captivity.
For over a year, his parents have campaigned for his release.
But today, the IDF revealed the young man was killed on October 7. His body was then taken by the terrorists.
Originally from New York, Neutra was serving in the Israeli military when he was killed defending towns surrounding Gaza on October 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara released a statement honoring Neutra’s sacrifice, declaring they ‘will not rest or be silent’ until his body is recovered from the Gaza Strip.
‘Omer was a man of values, blessed with talents and a Zionist in every sense of the word,’ said Netanyahu. ‘He immigrated to Israel to enlist in the IDF, chose a combat path and was chosen to command and lead.’
Netanyahu praised Neutra, saying he ‘fought fiercely at the head of his soldiers to defend the settlements surrounding Gaza, until he fell.’
Omer Maxim Neutra, a dual US-Israeli citizen, was believed to be one of the hostages still in Hamas captivity
For over a year, his parents have campaigned for his release. But today, the IDF revealed the young man was killed on October 7. His body was then taken by the terrorists
He said Israel ‘will not rest or be silent until we return him home for a Jewish burial, and we will continue to act resolutely and tirelessly until we return all of our hostages.’
The soldier’s parents, Ronen and Orna, have been actively campaigning for hostage release, making public appearances at the White House and Capitol to draw attention to the innocent people brutally kidnapped by Hamas.
The US-Israeli soldier from New York was a tank platoon commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade, and among hundreds of security personnel massacred during the devastating terrorist attack.
Currently, Hamas is still holding approximately 100 hostages, including three American citizens who are believed to still be alive after over 400 days in captivity.
Omer, who is from Plainview, Long Island graduated from Solomon Schechter, a yeshiva in Williston Park, where he was an honors student.
An avid sportsman, he was a captain of his basketball, soccer and volleyball teams and highly active in several Jewish community organizations, including serving as the regional president of the Metropolitan New York Region of United Synagogue Youth.
Omer took a gap year off of college, deferring his acceptance to Binghamton University, so he could join the Israeli army and follow in the footsteps of his parents
The soldier’s parents, Ronen and Orna, have been actively campaigning for hostage release, making public appearances at the White House and Capitol to draw attention to the innocent people brutally kidnapped by Hamas
His parents who both have dual US-Israeli citizenship said their son wanted to go to Israel and serve the country and connect with their family’s roots
His parents who both have dual US-Israeli citizenship said their son wanted to go to Israel and serve the country and connect with their family’s roots.
‘The experience impacted his decision to stay in Israel and do what he believed in – serving and protecting the people of Israel.’
Omer took a gap year off of college, deferring his acceptance to Binghamton University, so he could join the Israeli army and follow in the footsteps of his parents.
A lone soldier, he started as an officer in the IDF and worked his way up to tank commander.
Omer’s father said that they spoke on Friday before the attack. He said that his son sounded good, but a little tired. He said he had been very busy the last two weeks with the Jewish holidays.
‘He was looking forward to a quiet, peaceful weekend – Shabbat and the Simchat Torah holiday – and to just chill with his friends,’ Ronen said.
By midnight, they saw on a news app that their was something happening on the Southern portion of Israel and they said they immediately called him but could not get through.
They wait and they prayed as they watched the horror unfolding.
Omer at a sporting event with his parents and younger brother
Ronen said that one of Omer’s friends showed him a video two days after the attack.
He recalled, ‘it was pretty shocking,’ he said. ‘I asked a good friend to come over and watch it. I knew it was something I wasn’t ready to watch. He wasn’t sure but thought he saw Omer in the footage.’
He later learned from a close friend more details about his son’s whereabouts as they tried to figure out the timeline of the ambush.
Orna said, ‘Omer was in a tank so we know that he was taken out of the tank.’
His father added, ‘We saw him walking in the video. He was well…he was standing …and we expect to get him back the same way.’
‘They were ready to defend the border, but unfortunately it seems they were caught by surprise.