Omer Maxim Neutra: American-Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza was ‘killed on October 7,’ Israel says

CNN
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The Israeli military said on Monday that Omer Maxim Neutra, an American-Israeli citizen previously believed to be alive and being held hostage in Gaza, was killed in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.

Neutra, 21, was serving as an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tank commander at the time of the attack, the IDF said, adding that Neutra’s body was still being held hostage in Gaza. It is unclear what prompted the IDF to make this announcement. In previous cases where a hostage was declared dead, the determination was based on new findings and evidence.

“Omer loved sports, played soccer, basketball and volleyball and was captain of his school’s sports teams,” said a statement from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. “Family and friends described him as a warm, optimistic and caring person who ‘lights up the room the moment he walks in’.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Neutra “fell in a heroic battle near Nir Oz on October 7.” Nir Oz, a small kibbutz near Gaza in southern Israel, was one of the communities hardest hit by the October 7 terrorist attacks. One in four residents was murdered or kidnapped.

Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, spoke to CNN last week and described the pain of having to celebrate their second Thanksgiving without their son at the table.

They believed Omer was alive and said they hoped the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon could serve as a “time to refocus on securing his release.”

“We have seen that in the last four or five months the attention both in Israel and around the world has been shifted from the war in Gaza to the war in Lebanon, and that was a concern for us,” Ronen Neutra said. “At the same time, we’re disappointed that it wasn’t linked to a hostage deal, which is really the most pressing element at the moment. “We think it’s a missed opportunity.”

Neutra was one of seven American citizens held in Gaza. Four, including Neutra, were pronounced dead.

US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Monday that he and first lady Jill Biden were “devastated and outraged” following the announcement of Neutra’s death.

“Less than a month ago, Omer’s mother and father came to me at the White House to tell me the pain they endured as they prayed for their son’s safe return – pain that no parent should ever experience,” wrote Biden in the statement.

“In this dark hour – as our nation joins Omer’s parents, brother and family in mourning this tragic loss – we pray for strength and resilience. And to all the families of those still held hostage: see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong,” the president added.

The announcement of Neutra’s death caused great sadness among Israeli officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a person of great values, rich in talents and a Zionist in every fiber of his being.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has met Neutra’s family several times, called the news of his death “devastating.”

“Omer was born and raised in the United States and chose to come to Israel and join the IDF to defend our people,” Herzog said.

News of Neutra’s death came just days after Hamas released a video of Edan Alexander, one of three Israeli-American hostages believed to be still alive in Gaza.

The propaganda video was released on Saturday. It shows 20-year-old Alexander, who is apparently under duress. He says he has been held captive for more than 420 days and is asking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump for his release. Monday marked 423 days since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out.

At a rally on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, Alexander’s mother, Yael Alexander, told thousands of people that she was “shocked by the video.”

She told the crowd that she was contacted by the Israeli leader after the video was released.

“My Edan, my love, we miss you so much. I would like to inform you that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called me about an hour ago at your request. He strengthened me and assured me that now, after the deal in Lebanon, the conditions are in place to release you and bring you home,” she said.

According to Israeli authorities, Hamas is holding 101 hostages in Gaza – 97 of whom were kidnapped on October 7, 2023 and four others were kidnapped previously. At least 37 of the hostages have now been confirmed dead by Israel. According to authorities, the hostages include 13 women and two children under the age of five.

This story has been updated with additional developments.