Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old dual American-Israeli citizen who served in the Israeli military, was confirmed killed on the day of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The Israeli military announced that his body was being held by Hamas, describing him as “a fallen soldier held hostage by a terrorist organization.”
The timing of the announcement regarding Mr. Neutra’s death was not explained by the military. In previous instances, updates on the status of individuals believed to be held in Gaza have been attributed to new intelligence or forensic evidence.
Mr. Neutra, raised near New York City, was on military service during the Hamas invasion, which resulted in over 1,100 deaths and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.
His parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, have been actively campaigning for the release of their son, along with about 100 other hostages, roughly half of whom are believed to still be alive. They have expressed their distress over their circumstances, describing them as caught in the middle of a significant geopolitical conflict. “Our life as we knew it is gone,” said Orna Neutra in an opinion piece earlier this year.
Since their son’s capture, the Neutra family has engaged in numerous public appearances, including addressing the Republican National Convention and meeting with both President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They have also expressed dissatisfaction with Mr. Netanyahu, questioning his commitment and urgency regarding the release of hostages. In a statement on Monday, the prime minister honored Mr. Neutra as “a hero of the Israeli army.”
During a recent Thanksgiving, the family reiterated their calls for the release of their son, emphasizing the ongoing hardship of their situation. “For us, it’s no holiday,” Ronen Neutra remarked in an interview, lamenting the absence of their son at the family table for the second consecutive year.