Members of the U.S. House of Representatives paused Tuesday night to honor American-Israeli Omer Neutra, recently confirmed to have been killed by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack. Initially believed to be held captive, the 21-year-old IDF tank platoon commander's death has brought a tragic end to his family's hopes.
An image of Omer Neutra displayed at his memorial service on December 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Philip Marcelo)
Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY), representing Neutra's family's district, addressed the House, acknowledging the family's 420-day ordeal of fluctuating hope and despair. The confirmation of Omer's death on the day of the attack has devastated the family.
Neutra was among the first responders to the Hamas attack that claimed the lives of approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of over 250 individuals. Video footage from the attack shows Neutra and three other soldiers being pulled from their tank by Hamas operatives. While two of the soldiers were previously confirmed to have been killed, the IDF now believes Neutra, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, was also killed on that day. The fate of the fourth soldier remains unclear.
Omer Neutra's family at his memorial service. (Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
At a memorial service attended by an estimated 1,500 people, Neutra's parents, Orna and Ronen, expressed their profound grief. They spoke of their relentless efforts to keep hope alive and their devastation at the confirmation of their son's death.
The IDF has not disclosed how they obtained this new information. Neutra's body is reportedly still being held by Hamas, along with those of other American hostages. The IDF assesses that three of these American hostages are still alive.
American hostages taken by Hamas. (Fox News Photo)
The recovery of another Israeli hostage's body this week underscores the ongoing tragedy and the continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives.
