American-Israeli Soldier Omer Neutra Confirmed Dead, Body Held in Gaza

Captain Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier, has been confirmed dead by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Neutra, who served as a tank commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade, was taken hostage by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks and his body is currently being held in the Gaza Strip.

Neutra was born and raised in Long Island, New York, and moved to Israel at the age of 18 to enlist in the IDF as a lone soldier. He had no military obligation in Israel but chose to serve, giving up college studies in the U.S. to do so. On October 7, he was kidnapped along with his tank crew, including Nimrod Cohen, Shaked Dahan, and Oz Daniel, when their tank was attacked and captured by terrorists.

The confirmation of Neutra’s death was made by the IDF after an examination by the chief military rabbi and based on reliable information. His parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, have been actively campaigning for his release and that of other hostages in both Israel and the U.S. Recently, they spoke at a rally in New York, urging U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to work together to secure the release of the hostages before January.

Omer Neutra was remembered by his family and friends as a warm, optimistic, and people-loving person who was active in sports and the Jewish community. He had spent his second birthday in captivity, and a march was held in Manhattan by about 700 people, including his family and friends, to mark the occasion.