Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra, of Lengthy Island, useless in Gaza, IDF says

PLAINVIEW, N.Y. — Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American soldier from New York, has been confirmed useless in Gaza, the Israel Protection Forces mentioned.

A grandson of Holocaust survivors, the 21-year-old from Lengthy Island was considered a hostage captured by Hamas, however he was killed preventing militants throughout the Oct. 7, 2023 bloodbath, the IDF introduced Monday.

Neutra’s physique was taken into Gaza, the place it’s nonetheless being held by Hamas.

Omer Neutra “was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Protection Forces unit that was among the many first to reply to Hamas’ 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 faculty. He dreamed of dedicating himself to constructing peace,” President Joe Biden mentioned in an announcement.

A memorial service for Neutra will likely be held on the Halfway Jewish Heart in Syosset on Tuesday morning.  

Neutra’s household “deeply grieving and devastated” 

Neutra, who grew up in Plainview, deferred enrollment at SUNY Binghamton to affix the IDF after attending a Jewish highschool. His dad and mom spoke out at a hostage remembrance and protest in Central Park simply hours earlier than his loss of life was introduced. 

“We have to end this struggle and convey ceasefire and get the hostages again,” his father, Ronen Neutra, had mentioned. 

“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. 

Neutra’s photograph has remained a centerpiece at Temple Chaverim in Plainview, the place many held on to hope for the IDF soldier. The temple opened its doorways Monday night time for a lot of within the Jewish neighborhood to assemble of their grief and lean into their religion.

“Omer kind of turned actually such part of all of us and I believe individuals felt so personally linked to him, even individuals who by no means met him,” Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller mentioned.

“All of us woke as much as the information. We have been shocked. We have been devastated, most likely the phrase I heard essentially the most right this moment,” mentioned Craig Wolfson, president of Temple Chaverim.

New York leaders react to Omer Neutra’s loss of life 

City of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino mentioned Monday flags can be flown at half-staff in Neutra’s honor. 

“It’s with deep unhappiness that we study 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 all over the world,” Saladino’s assertion learn partly. “Our ideas and prayers are with Omer’s household, mates, and all who liked him. This can be a time of insufferable grief and a tragic loss for our total city.”

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered flags to half-staff statewide and mentioned, “We pray that his physique could be returned to his household, who’ve been talking out for him and 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 discovered a lot about this unbelievable younger man. As we mourn this tragedy, allow us to proceed to wish for the secure return of the remaining hostages, an finish to the struggle 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 dad and mom lived in hope that their son was nonetheless alive. However right this moment, 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 stuffed with satisfaction within the life that Omer lived. His heroism and sacrifice won’t ever be forgotten, and I can’t relaxation till his physique is returned residence. Might his reminiscence be a blessing,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s assertion mentioned.

The wall of hope

After Neutra’s presumptive seize, the Mid-Island Y JCC in his hometown held weekly occasions and prayed that he 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 believe it is hit everyone the identical. I burst out into tears once 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. 

The neighborhood’s wall of hope has been up for 422 days. It shows photos of hostages they hoped can be seen alive once more.

Gary Cellers, who updates the wall, prayed he would by no means have so as to add deceased stickers to the image of Neutra. 

“My coronary heart aches for the Neutra household. My coronary heart aches for all of the hostage households,” mentioned Cellers, amenities director on the Mid-Island Y JCC. 

Households of hostages reply to Hamas propaganda video

Over the weekend, Neutra’s dad and mom 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. 

contributed to this report.