Long Island native Omer Neutra confirmed killed in October 7 attack by Hamas
MIDTOWN EAST, Manhattan (WABC) -- A Long Island family is reeling after the loss of their loved one following Hamas' attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7, 2023.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Monday that Omer Neutra was killed during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack into southern Israel and his body taken back into Gaza.
Neutra is originally from Plainview, Long Island.
He would have been 23 years old as his family recently celebrated what they thought was his second birthday in captivity in October. He died at the age of 21.
"Over the past 423 days - nearly 14 months - we have been working non-stop doing anything and everything possible to bring Omer home alive," his family said in a statement. "It was an unimaginable nightmare to be acting based on the hope that he was alive, despite having little information or signs of life since he was seen on video being taken on October 7th. Our beloved son Omer was a natural leader who made others around him better with his warmth and ability to engage and encourage others to be their best. He was deeply committed to both the people and land of Israel and immigrated to Israel out of that same deep commitment."
They said he and his team were first in the line of fire while operating a disabled tank while trying to defend the border.
"In the 423 days since October 7th, we expected our leaders to demonstrate the same courage displayed so bravely by Omer and rise to the occasion on behalf of those who were killed and kidnapped, just as our beloved Omer showed until the very end," their statement went on to say. "While we appreciate the support we have received from so many in our community, in New York, in Israel and across the world, the feeling today is very difficult. The grief is heavy."
In a statement announcing the death, the military did not say how it concluded 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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara Netanyahu, said in a joint statement Monday they "will not rest or be silent" until the body of Neutra is recovered from the Gaza Strip.
Neutra "fought fiercely at the head of his soldiers to defend the settlements surrounding Gaza, until he fell." Netanyahu's statement said. "We share in the family's heavy grief," it added.
"We will continue to act resolutely and tirelessly until we return all of our captives -- the living and the dead," the statement said.
President Joe Biden released a statement Monday that he and the first lady were devastated to learn of Neutra's death.
"A Long Island native, Omer planned to return to the United States for college. He dreamed of dedicating himself to building peace," the statement said. "Less than a month ago, Omer's mother and father joined me at the White House to share the pain they've endured as they prayed for the safe return of their son - pain no parent should ever know. They told me how Omer's grandparents were Holocaust survivors and how their family's strength and resilience has been carried through the generations."
Neighbors gathered to pray in a local synagogue for Neutra on Monday night.
Plainview isn't a small town, but Neutra's tragedy hits hard, here.
"We believed one thing and come to find out it's another and that's so much of the difficulty that we're having to process," said Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller of Temple Chaverim. "To know that this whole time we were hoping and praying only to have that really shattered."
Neutra's body is still being held somewhere in Gaza, and it is not at all clear when it will be sent over.
His family is planning a memorial service for Tuesday on Long Island as they face the reality they dreaded for 14 months.
Meanwhile, there are still three American citizens thought to be alive as hostages inside Gaza. Biden went on to say that he will not stop working to bring home those still being held hostage.
Neutra's parents have been vocal about the release of hostages in Gaza, including their son. 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.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that flags will be lowered to half-mast at New York State facilities on Tuesday for Neutra's funeral.
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 hostages.
The Associated Press contributed to parts of this story,
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