PLAINVIEW, N.Y. — U.S.-Israeli soldier Omer Neutra, of New York, has been confirmed useless in Gaza, the Israel Protection Forces mentioned on Monday.
A grandson of Holocaust survivors, the 21-year-old from Lengthy Island was considered a hostage captured by Hamas, however he was killed combating militants throughout the Oct. 7, 2023 bloodbath, the IDF mentioned.
Neutra’s physique was taken into Gaza, the place it’s nonetheless being held by Hamas.
Neutra’s household “deeply grieving and devastated”
Neutra, who grew up in Plainview, New York, deferred enrollment at SUNY Binghamton to affix the IDF after attending a Jewish highschool. His mother and father spoke out at a hostage remembrance and protest in Central Park simply hours earlier than his demise was introduced.
“The Neutra household is deeply grieving and devastated with the information. They’re presently requesting the general public who has been very supportive all through this journey to please respect their privateness till they’re formally able to announce the subsequent steps,” a household spokesperson mentioned Monday.
CBS Information New York
Neutra “was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Protection Forces unit that was among the many first to answer Hamas’s marketing campaign of cruelty— risking his life to avoid wasting the lives of others. A Lengthy Island native, Omer deliberate to return to america for school. He dreamed of dedicating himself to constructing peace,” President Joe Biden mentioned in an announcement.
New York leaders react to Omer Neutra’s demise
City of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino mentioned Monday flags could be flown at half-staff in Neutra’s honor.
“It’s with deep unhappiness that we be taught of the tragic lack of Omer Neutra, a beloved son of the City of Oyster Bay and IDF soldier, who was killed by Hamas terrorists. This heartbreaking information is a profound reminder of the immense sacrifices made by people who stand in service to guard and defend democracy world wide,” Saladino’s assertion learn partially. “Our ideas and prayers are with Omer’s household, mates, and all who cherished him. It is a time of insufferable grief and a tragic loss for our total city.”
The Neutra Household
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered flags to half-staff statewide and mentioned, “We pray that his physique may be returned to his household, who’ve been talking out for him & all hostages since that horrific day.”
“For months we have prayed for the secure return of Omer Neutra and all these kidnapped by Hamas on October seventh. This horrific information shakes all New Yorkers to our core,” Hochul mentioned in an announcement. “I’ve met with Omer’s courageous household and realized a lot about this unimaginable younger man. As we mourn this tragedy, allow us to proceed to hope for the secure return of the remaining hostages, an finish to the battle with out Hamas in energy, and a long-lasting peace.”
“On October seventh, he fiercely defended the communities close to the Gaza border when Hamas terrorists attacked. For over a 12 months, his mother and father lived in hope that their son was nonetheless alive. However immediately, their worst fears have been confirmed. My coronary heart breaks for them and their total household as they face this insufferable loss. However I’m additionally full of satisfaction within the life that Omer lived. His heroism and sacrifice won’t ever be forgotten, and I cannot relaxation till his physique is returned residence. Might his reminiscence be a blessing,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s assertion mentioned.
After his presumptive seize, the Mid-Island Y JCC held weekly occasions and prayed that Neutra and the 101 hostages would come residence alive.
“All of us woke as much as the devastating information of the lack of Omer, that we have stored in our hearts and prayers for therefore lengthy now. I feel it is hit everyone the identical. I burst out into tears after I noticed it. I take a deep breath now to maintain the tears. All of us really feel like we misplaced a son, a brother, a buddy even when we did not know him personally. He turned the face of what is going on on in Israel,” mentioned Mid-Island Y JCC CEO Rick Lewis.
Households of hostages reply to Hamas propaganda video
Over the weekend, Neutra’s mother and father spoke at a rally in Central Park, alongside the daddy of one other Israeli-American hostage.
Edan Alexander, 20, grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and joined the Israel Protection Forces out of highschool. He was seen alive in a new propaganda video launched by Hamas on Saturday.
His father described seeing him within the video as each emotional and disturbing, however mentioned the household was joyful to get an indication of life.
Israel says 97 hostages stay in captivity.
Mark Prussin
contributed to this report.
