Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra, from Long Island, killed in Gaza, IDF says

PLAINVIEW, NY — Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American soldier from New York, has been confirmed dead in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said.

The grandson of Holocaust survivors, the 21 years old from Long Island he was thought to be a hostage taken by Hamas, but he was killed fighting the militants at the time massacre on October 7, 2023the IDF announced on Monday.

Neutra’s body was taken to Gaza, where it is still being held by Hamas.

Neutra’s family is “deeply saddened and devastated”

Neutra, who grew up in Plainview, New York, deferred enrollment at SUNY Binghamton to join the IDF after attending a Jewish high school. His parents talked about a the memory of the hostages and the protest in Central Park just a few hours before his death was announced.

“We have to end this war and bring peace and return the hostages,” said his father Ronen Neutra.

“The Neutra family is deeply saddened and overwhelmed by this news. They are currently asking the community that has been so supportive of this journey to respect their privacy until they are legally ready to announce the next steps,” said a family spokesperson on Monday.

Neutra “was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Defense Forces unit that was among the first responders to Hamas’ brutal campaign—risking his own life to save the lives of others. A native of Long Island, Omer planned to return to the United States. for college. He hoped to devote himself to building peace,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

New York leaders react to Omer Neutra’s death

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said Monday’s flags will be flown by staff in Neutra’s honor.

“It is with great sadness that we learn of the tragic loss of Omer Neutra, a beloved son of the City of Oyster Bay and an IDF soldier, who was killed by Hamas terrorists. This sad news is a deep reminder of the great sacrifices made by people who work to protect and defend democracy around the world,” said Saladino’s statement in part. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Omer’s family, friends, and all who loved him. This is a time of unbearable grief and a tragic loss for our entire city.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the country and said, “We pray that his body will be returned to his family, who have been speaking for him and all the hostages since that terrible day.”

“For months we have been praying for the safe return of Omer Neutra and all those captured by Hamas on October 7. This horrific news shakes all New Yorkers to our core,” Hochul said in a statement. “I met Omer’s brave family and learned a lot about this amazing young man. As we mourn this incident, let us continue to pray for the return of the remaining hostages, an end to the war without Hamas ruling, and lasting peace.

“On October 7, he fiercely defended the communities near the Gaza border when Hamas terrorists attacked. For more than a year, his parents lived in hope that their son was still alive. But today, their worst fears have been confirmed. My heart aches for them. and their entire family as they face this unbearable loss but I am also filled with pride for the life Omeri lived that will never be forgotten, and I will not rest until “His body is gone. May his memory be a blessing,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

A wall of hope

After Neutra’s reckless abduction, the Mid-Island Y JCC in his hometown held weekly events and prayed that he and the 101 hostages would return home alive.

“We all woke up to the sad news of losing Omer, which we have kept in our hearts and prayers for a long time. I think it hit everyone the same way. I just burst into tears when I saw you. I’m taking a deep breath now to hold back the tears. We all feel like we’ve lost a son, a brother, a friend or we don’t know him personally He became the face of what is happening in Israel JCC CEO Rick Lewis.

The community wall of hope has been up for 422 days. It shows pictures of the kidnappers who were hoping to be seen alive again.

Gary Cellers, who updates the wall, prays that he won’t add any more dead stickers to Neutra’s photo.

“My heart goes out to the Neutra family. My heart goes out to all the families of the kidnappers,” said Cellers, director of facilities at the Mid-Island Y JCC.

Families of hostages respond to Hamas propaganda video

Over the weekend, Neutra’s parents he spoke at a meeting in Central Parkand the father of another Israeli-American hostage.

Edan Alexander, 20, grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey and joined the Israel Defense Forces out of high school. He appeared alive in new propaganda video released by Hamas on Saturday.

His father described seeing him in the video as physical and disturbing, but said the family was happy to find a sign of life.

Israel says 97 hostages are still in captivity.

Mark Prussin contributed to this report.