An Israeli-American soldier believed to have been captured alive by Hamas in a terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, was actually killed that day and his body was transferred to the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said on Monday. Announced.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz paid his respects, saying on the X program that Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old from New York who moved to Israel and served as a tank platoon commander, was killed in combat.
“Omer’s life and dedication represents the best and strongest of what we have built as a nation,” he said in a post to X. It added that Noitra was killed in the fighting in Nir Oz, a kibbutz less than three miles from the fenced-in area, located on the border with Gaza and one of the biggest attacks by Hamas militants on the raid on southern Israel. It is one of the affected areas.
However, the military has not disclosed how it reached its conclusion regarding Neutra’s death. He added that he was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain.
According to Israeli tallies, the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack took approximately 250 people hostage and left 1,200 dead. About 100 people remain in custody, but a third are believed to have died.
Omer Neutra’s mother Orna Neutra at the White House in July (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images File)
According to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, an advocacy group for prisoners of war and their families, Neutra was born and raised in the United States, then immigrated to Israel as a solo soldier and joined an armored unit.
In a statement released on Monday, it said his body remains in Hamas custody.
Neutra is survived by his parents, Ronen Neutra and Orna Neutra, and his brother Daniel Neutra.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families, saying in a statement that “we share their deep sorrow,” adding, “We will continue to act decisively and tirelessly until all prisoners of war are returned.” ” he added. the living and the dead. ”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who met with Neutra’s parents in March, also expressed her condolences to the family. “I pray that his body will be returned to his family who have been speaking out for him and all the hostages since that terrible day,” she posted on X.
Appearing on NBC News’ “TODAY” in September, Neutra’s parents called for a ceasefire with Hamas and a hostage release agreement.
“We basically ask ourselves every morning, ‘What are we doing today to get him out?'” Ronen Neutra said, adding that “it’s important that people don’t forget” about the hostages. he added.
News of Neutra’s death came as the mother of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander told NBC News she was upset and relieved after seeing her son in a propaganda video released by Hamas. It was announced just two days later.
“It was such a relief to get this video and see that he was still strong. It was amazing,” Yael Alexander wrote on the Telegram channel of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. It’s going away,” he said in a video call on Saturday, hours after the video with the caption was posted.
The 20-year-old, who appeared threatened in a Hamas video, is calling on President-elect Donald Trump to use his power to negotiate for freedom for those who remain detained in Gaza. There is.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah appears to be holding, securing the release of remaining hostages and a cessation of fighting with Hamas, which holds more than 44,000 people in the Gaza Strip. There is little sign of progress in negotiations to resolve the issue. He died in the 14-month war, local health officials said.
Hamas leaders met with Egyptian security officials on Sunday to explore ways to reach an agreement with Israel that could secure the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
This article first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:
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