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Israeli Defense Forces reported Monday that Plainview native Omer Neutra, a soldier thought to have been captured alive by Hamas during its Oct. 7, 2023, attack, was killed in the raid, and that his body was taken into the Gaza Strip.
The IDF confirmed the death of the 21-year-old Israeli-American — a grandson of Holocaust survivors — on X, just after 6 a.m.
“Today we can confirm, based on intelligence, that he was killed in battle on Oct. 7 and his body has been held hostage in Gaza since,” the IDF said of Neutra, an Armored Corps platoon commander. “May his memory be a blessing.”
The IDF’s post featured an undated photo of a smiling Neutra, who had been serving near the Gaza border when Hamas struck Israel, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians. More than 250 people were taken hostage back to Gaza; about 100 are still held inside and taking around 250 hostage. Some 100 are still held inside the territory.
Six other Americans are believed to be still held in Gaza, four of whom are believed to be dead. A video was released over the weekend Hamas showing American, Edan Alexander, was still alive.
President Joe Biden said Monday that he was “devastated and outraged” by the news of Neutra’s death.
“He was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Defense Forces unit that was among the first to respond to Hamas’s campaign of cruelty— risking his life to save the lives of others,” the president said in a statement. “A Long Island native, Omer planned to return to the United States for college. He dreamed of dedicating himself to building peace.”
Biden added a message to 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 back home where they belong.”
Neutra’s parents Ronen and Orna have spearheaded a public campaign for their son’s release, speaking at protests in the U.S. and Israel, and maintaining communication with Biden.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also reacted to the news of Neutra’s death.
“Omer was barbarically murdered by Hamas in the October 7 attacks,” she posted on X. “We pray that his body can be returned to his family, who have been speaking out for him & all hostages since that horrific day.”
We just learned that this prayer couldn't be answered for the family of Omer Neutra.
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 2, 2024
Omer was barbarically murdered by Hamas in the October 7 attacks.
We pray that his body can be returned to his family, who have been speaking out for him & all hostages since that horrific day. https://t.co/YeKJtrzibJ pic.twitter.com/gPoVut9ivK
Neutra was an honors student and the captain of his basketball, soccer and volleyball teams at Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park, graduating in 2019.
In a social media post, Congressman Tom Suozzi offered “heartfelt condolences to my friends Ronen and Orna and Omer’s brother Daniel.”
Sadly, it was confirmed this morning that Omer Neutra of Plainview was killed on October 7th, 2023. My heartfelt condolences to my friends Ronen and Orna and Omer’s brother Daniel.
— Tom Suozzi (@Tom_Suozzi) December 2, 2024
This family has soldiered on through alternating deep sorrow and hopefulness, crushing anxiety and…
Town flags at half-mast
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joe Saladino ordered all flags at town-owned facilities to be flown at half-mast to honor Neutra.
“This heartbreaking news is a profound reminder of the immense sacrifices made by individuals who stand in service to protect and defend democracy around the world,” the supervisor wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Omer’s family, friends, and all who loved him.”
The Gaza Health Ministry says that Israel’s ongoing retaliatory strikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 44,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children. While the ministry does not say how many of the dead were combatants, Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants.
Top photo: Omer Neutra (X).
