International Courant
LONDON — Omer Maxim Neutra, a U.S.-Israeli soldier, was amongst these killed on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists poured into southern Israel, officers stated Monday.
It was believed that 21-year-old Neutra had been taken alive to Gaza as a hostage, however the Israeli military stated on Monday that he was as a substitute one in all about 1,200 killed within the shock assault.
The soldier, from New York, had been a tank platoon commander within the 77th battalion of Israel’s seventh Armored Brigade.
“Omer was a person of values, blessed with abilities and a Zionist in each facet of his being,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a press release launched together with his spouse Sara. “He immigrated to Israel to enlist within the IDF, selected a fight path and was chosen to command and lead.”
This undated photograph supplied by Hostages Households Discussion board headquarters exhibits Omer Neutra.
AP
Netanyahu stated Neutra, who was a captain, had “fought fiercely” whereas main Israeli forces “to defend the settlements round Gaza till he fell.”
In a press release, the Neutra household stated they’re “deeply grieving.”
“Our hearts are damaged by this devastating information. The Neutra household is deeply saddened and asks the general public, who’ve proven nice assist all through this journey, to respect their privateness till they’re formally able to announce the following steps,” the assertion stated. learn.
Israel stated it had confirmed by means of intelligence that Neutra was killed within the assault and that his physique was nonetheless being held in Gaza.
Earlier than his army service, Neutra had accomplished a preparatory yr within the Tzabar Garin program, the place he “beloved sports activities, performed soccer, basketball and volleyball and was captain of his college’s sports activities groups,” based on the hostages and lacking individuals. Household discussion board.
“Household and buddies describe him as a heat, optimistic and caring one that ‘lights up the room as quickly as he walks in,’” the discussion board stated in a press release posted on social media on Monday.
Neutra’s dad and mom, Orna and Ronen, spoke on the Republican Nationwide Conference in July. They instructed the gang about their grief, not understanding for greater than 9 months whether or not “your son continues to be alive.”
Orna Neutra (left) and Ronen Neutra (second from left), dad and mom of Omer Neutra, make a press release with different households of People held hostage by Hamas in entrance of the West Wing after assembly with authorities officers on the White Home in Washington, on November 12, 2024.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP through Getty Photos
“We want our stunning son again,” stated Ronen Neutra. “And we want your assist – your assist to finish this disaster and produce all of the hostages house.”
Netanyahu stated Monday that he and his spouse shared the household’s “heavy” grief.
“We is not going to relaxation nor be silent till we return him to the grave of Israel,” he stated, “and we are going to proceed to behave decisively and tirelessly till we deliver again all our captives – the dwelling and the lifeless.”
Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat who represents the New York congressional district the place Neutra got here from, wrote on social media Monday that he supplied his condolences to Neutra’s household.
“I’ve been praying for Omer and his household, and I ask all of you to hitch me in holding the Neutra household shut as they attempt to discover peace and that means on this tragedy,” Suozzi wrote.
Three People are believed to be alive among the many dozens of hostages Hamas continues to carry.
“We should fulfill the final word obligation: to return Omer and all our kidnapped women and men – the dwelling – to their households, and to put to relaxation the fallen and murdered,” stated President Isaac Herzog of Israel. a press release saying Neutra’s dying.
Dave Brennan, Joe Simonetti, Jordana Miller and Oren Oppenheim of ABC Information contributed to this report.
