Israeli-American soldier Omer Neutra, who was initially believed to have been captured alive by Hamas during a terror attack in 2023, was actually killed that day and his body was taken into the Gaza Strip. Neutra, a tank platoon commander, was killed in battle in Nir Oz, close to the border with Gaza. The Israeli military did not disclose how they confirmed his death, but he was posthumously promoted to the rank of captain. Around 250 people were taken hostage during the attack, with 100 still in captivity and a third believed to be dead.
Neutra, born and raised in the U.S. before moving to Israel as a lone soldier, is survived by his parents and brother. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences to the family, promising to continue efforts to return all captives. Neutra’s parents have been advocating for his release since his capture, with New York Governor Kathy Hochul also offering condolences and support.
News of Neutra’s death came soon after a video of another Israeli-American hostage, Edan Alexander, was released by Hamas. Alexander appeared under duress in the video, calling for President-elect Donald Trump’s intervention in negotiating their release. Talks are ongoing between Hamas leaders and Egyptian officials to secure a deal with Israel for the release of hostages. The situation remains tense, with continued violence and high casualties in the region over the past year.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
