Hamas hostage Capt. Omer Neutra, 21, a tank commander in the 7th Armored Brigade's 77th Battalion, was killed on October 7, and his body is being held in the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced on Monday morning.
His death was determined by the chief military rabbi after examining all findings and based on reliable information. Omer is survived by his parents, Ronen and Orna, and his brother, Daniel.
Hamas terrorists celebrate capturing Omer Neutra's tank on Gaza border
Neutra was born and raised on Long Island and came to Israel as a lone soldier to enlist. On October 7, he was kidnapped alongside his tankmates: Nimrod Cohen, the gunner; Shaked Dahan, the tank driver; and Oz Daniel, the liaison officer. The four were in tank number 3, which became a symbol of the October 7 attack after a photo of terrorists jubilantly surrounding it while it burned spread widely.
On Sunday, Omer's parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, spoke at a rally in New York following the release of a Hamas propaganda video of hostage Edan Alexander. They called on U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to work together to promote a deal, saying: "Seize the moment. Work together before January. It can be a moment that unites us all."
Orna and Ronen Nuetra speak about their son at the Republican National Convention
(Video: CBS )
They added: "Conditions in Lebanon have changed. All eyes are now on Gaza. The people of Israel are waiting. It's time to bring them back. Omer and Edan grew up here, performed a Zionist act, left everything behind, and gave everything to the country they love. They deserve to come home."
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The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said after the announcement of Neutra's death that he "loved sports, played soccer, basketball and volleyball, and was the captain of sports teams at his school. His family and friends say he was a warm, optimistic and people-loving person who 'lit up the room as soon as he entered.'"
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Manhattan rally in October marking Omer Neutra's 2nd birthday in captivity
(Photo: Courtesy of the family)
In October, Neutra marked his second birthday in captivity. About 700 people, including his family members and friends, held a march in Manhattan, New York, to honor him. Friends traveled from across the country, and others sent videos to show their support, according to his mother. "It was an exciting and powerful event—to see all these friends, especially after so long without seeing them. It was an event that testified to his character. Only he was missing," she said.
His parents said Omer's decision to enlist was resolute. Although he was born and raised in New York, those who knew him said he was "the most put-together person ever." He and his brother attended a Jewish school and were active in their local Jewish community. After high school, Omer chose to attend a military preparatory program in Israel.
Omer had no obligation to serve in the IDF but gave up college studies to enlist. "Omer grew up in the U.S. and, at 18, came to Israel for a preparatory year. He was accepted to study at a university in the U.S., but decided he wanted to enlist and serve in the Tank Corps," his mother said. "He was on duty on October 7. We spoke with him on Friday afternoon after a very difficult month of work on the border. Omer said he expected a relatively quiet Saturday with the soldiers. Of course, just a few hours later, everything changed."