U.S. President Joe Biden expressed on Monday deep sorrow and outrage over the death of Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old Israeli American IDF soldier whose body has been held by Hamas since their deadly attack on October 7, 2023.
Neutra, a Long Island native, was serving as a tank commander in the IDF and was among the first responders to the brutal assault, sacrificing his life to protect others.
"He dreamed of dedicating himself to building peace," Biden said, recalling that Neutra had planned to return to the United States for college after completing his service. Biden also highlighted Neutra’s family history, noting that his grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and praised the strength and resilience of his parents, who recently met with him at the White House to share their pain and hope for their son’s safe return.
Biden reaffirmed his commitment to securing the release of all remaining hostages, saying, "We see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong." The president extended condolences to Neutra’s family and joined the nation in grieving his loss during what he described as a "dark hour."