American-Israeli hostage declared dead

The Israel Defense Forces on Monday said that Hamas terrorists killed 21-year-old Omer Neutra on Oct. 7, 2023, and have held his body hostage in Gaza for more than a year. Neutra previously served as a platoon commander in Israel’s Armored Corps, the military said.

What else do we know about him? Neutra grew up in New York where he attended Knicks basketball games and summer camps, and played sports with friends and family, according to the hostage advocacy group Bring Them Home Now. He also captained several sports teams in high school, the group added. Neutra volunteered to serve in the Israeli military out of love for his family’s homeland, joining the Armored Corps after completing a year of training.

Any reaction from his family? Bring Them Home Now said that just hours before they found out about their son’s death, Neutra’s parents spoke in Central Park, N.Y. demanding his release. Just days earlier, the parents shared how they missed their son during Thanksgiving, Bring Them Home Now said.

Has the U.S. government responded in any way? U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday said he and First Lady Jill Biden were grieved and outraged by the news of Neutra’s death. The president met with Neutra’s parents less than a month ago, he said in a released statement. They told the president about how their son’s grandparents survived the Holocaust. Biden said he would keep working to bring the remaining hostages in Gaza home.