IDF soldier, Long Island native Omer Neutra confirmed dead in October 7 battle with Hamas
MIDTOWN EAST, Manhattan (WABC) -- A Long Island family is reeling after the loss of a loved one following Hamas' attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli media says the IDF confirmed the death of Omer Neutra in the October 7 massacre.
Neutra is originally from Plainview, Long Island. His body is currently being held in Gaza.
He would have been 23-years-old as his family recently celebrated what they thought was his second birthday in captivity in October. Neutra, an Israeli and U.S. citizen, was an IDF soldier who was kidnapped during the attacks last year.
Neutra enlisted in the Israeli military and was captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel.
According to Israeli media, it had been believed Neutra was alive and being held hostage, however, the IDF now says he was killed in a battle with terrorists.
His body was apparently taken from the Gaza border.
In a statement announcing the death, the military did not say how it came to the conclusion over Neutra's fate. He was one of seven American Israelis still held in Gaza, four of whom are now said to be dead. Hamas released a video of one, Edan Alexander, over the weekend, indicating he was still alive.
Hamas is still holding around 100 hostages inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. The Biden administration says it is making another push for a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages, after nearly a year of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas repeatedly stalled.
Neutra's parents have been vocal about the release of hostages in Gaza, including of their son.
Most recently, they took part in a rally held Sunday in Central Park.
While they say they welcomed news of the ceasefire in Lebanon, they are frustrated it wasn't coupled with the release of hostages.
Neutra's father, Ronen, spoke to ABC7NY on Saturday after spending another Thanksgiving without his son.
"We feel it's a missed opportunity but now after the election, the focus is back here in the United States and should continue to be the crisis in the Middle East and the hostages are the key to reducing the tension," Neutra said.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 hostage.
The Associated Press contributed to parts of this story,
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