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US-Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza 'killed on October 7th,' Israel says
Omer Neutra, of Long Island, New York, was among the IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hamas, his parents and synagogue told CNN. Omer Neutra, of Long Island, New York, was one of seven American citizens held in Gaza. Four of them, including Neutra, have been declared dead and three are believed to be alive.
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The Israeli military said Monday that Omer Maxim Neutra, an American-Israeli citizen previously believed to be alive and being held hostage in Gaza, was killed during a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Neutra, 21, was a tank platoon commander in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at the time of the attack, the IDF said, adding that Neutra's body is still being held hostage in Gaza. It is unclear what prompted the Israeli military to make the announcement. In previous cases where a hostage has been declared dead, the discovery has been based on new information and evidence.
"Omer loved sports, played soccer, basketball and volleyball and was the captain of his school sports teams," the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. His family and friends describe him as a warm, optimistic and caring individual who "lights up a room the moment he walks in."
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Neutra "fell in heroic battle near Nir Oz on October 7." Nir Oz, a small kibbutz near Gaza in southern Israel, was one of the communities hardest hit by the October 7 terror attacks, with one in four residents killed or kidnapped.
Neutra's parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, spoke to CNN last week, describing the pain of celebrating a second Thanksgiving without their son at the table. Believing that Omar was alive, they said they hoped the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could serve as a "moment to refocus" on his release.
"We have seen the attention, both in Israel and around the world, shift from the war in Gaza to the war in Lebanon over the last four or five months, and that has concerned us," said Ronen Neutra. "But at the same time, we are disappointed that this has not been combined with a commitment agreement, which is really the most urgent element at the moment. We consider this a missed opportunity."
Neutra was one of seven American citizens detained in Gaza. Four, including Neutra, were pronounced dead. US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Monday that he and first lady Jill Biden were "devastated and outraged" by the news of Neutra's death.
"Less than a month ago, Omer's mother and father joined me at the White House to share the pain they have endured as I prayed for the safe return of their son — a pain no parent should ever have to experience," Biden wrote in the statement.
"In this dark hour — as our nation joins Omer's parents, brother, and family in mourning this tragic loss — we pray for strength and resilience. And to all the families of those still being held hostage: We see you. We are with you." And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones home where they belong," the president added.
"Devastating" news.
The news of Neutra's death caused an outpouring of grief among Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him "a person of great values, rich in talents and a Zionist in every fiber of his being."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who met with Neutra's family several times, called the news of his death "devastating."
"Omer was born and raised in the United States and chose to (come) to Israel and enlist in the Israeli military to protect our people," Herzog said.
News of Neutra's death came just days after Hamas released a video of Edan Alexander, one of three Israeli-American hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza.
The propaganda video was released on Saturday. It shows Alexander, 20, appearing under pressure, saying he has been held captive for more than 420 days and pleading with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump to release him. As of Monday, 423 days have passed since the war between Israel and Hamas.
Speaking to thousands of people at a rally on Saturday night in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square, Alexander's mother, Yael Alexander, said she was "shocked by the video".
She told the crowd that she had been contacted by the Israeli leader after the video was released.
"My Edan, my love, we miss you so much. I mean that after your request, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called me about an hour ago. "He strengthened me and assured me that now, after the agreement in Lebanon, the conditions have been created to release you and bring you home," he said.
According to Israeli authorities, Hamas is holding 101 hostages in Gaza - 97 captured on October 7, 2023, and four others who were kidnapped earlier. At least 37 of the hostages have now been confirmed dead by Israel. Among the hostages are 13 women and two children under the age of five, according to authorities.
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