ReportWire

Tag: omer neutra

  • Slain LI IDF soldier Omer Neutra’s body returned I’m

    [ad_1]

    Plainview native Omer Neutra, who was previously believed to be alive and held hostage by Hamas, was announced dead this morning by the IDF.

    Schneps Media archives

    The family of Omer Nuetra, the Plainview resident and Israeli Defense Force soldier killed in the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack, finally received his body, officials announced on Nov. 2.

    The 21-year-old dual citizen’s body was one of three that the terrorist organization Hamas returned on the same day — 759 days after the attacks — to Israel, where the soldier’s family is planning final arrangements.

    “Our Omer is on Israeli soil,” his father, Ronen Neilutra, told The Times of Israel in a statement. “Finally — so much pain and so much relief!

    Nuetra’s return comes after Hama returned 17 bodies to Israel since an Oct. 10 ceasefire was reached on Oct. 10, but 11 more remain in Gaza. The last 20 surviving hostages were returned upon the agreement.

    The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when terrorists stormed Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, making it the deadliest days for Jews since the Holocaust during World War II.

    Tens of thousands of civilians were killed, most of them Palestinians, during the war as the hostages’ prolonged captivity continued to bring daily anguish to their families, friends and supporters across the world.

    President Donald Trump told reporters that he spoke with Neutra’s family.

    [ad_2]

    By Timothy Bolger

    Source link

  • Family of hostage Omer Neutra hosts community basketball game to honor their son’s 23rd birthday

    Family of hostage Omer Neutra hosts community basketball game to honor their son’s 23rd birthday

    [ad_1]

    UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) — More than a year after the October 7 attacks on Israel, the family of one hostage is reminding community members about their son, who is having his second birthday in captivity.

    Friends and family members came to show their support for Long Island native Omer Neutra at a community basketball game on Sunday.

    “We’re exhausted, absolutely. This has been a roller coaster of a year between hope and despair, and right now, negotiations are at a standstill,” said Omer’s mother, Orna Neutra.

    The family last spoke to their son, who is in the Israeli military, just a day before Hamas attacked, claiming 1,200 lives and taking 240 hostages, including Omer.

    “We’re hoping he’s okay, and I mean, there’s a good chance he doesn’t even know what day it is. He doesn’t know that it’s his birthday or if it is his birthday,” said Daniel Neutra, Omer’s brother.

    Omer’s family refuses to give up hope and continues to cling to their belief in miracles.

    They have been working tirelessly to get their son released, talking to officials in Washington and Israel, and also leaders in the Middle East.

    “He was 21 when he was taken captive. Right, it’s heartbreaking, it’s devastating. And it’s unfathomable that a 22-year-old is spending his time in the tunnels underneath Gaza for such a long time,” Orna said.

    According to his family, Omer loves basketball and wore the number “24” because he idolized Kobe Bryant and was a big Knicks fan. Despite living in Israel, Omer rarely missed watching a Knicks game.

    “And we were four years ago and we watched the NBA Finals always together. Whether we were together physically or apart across the ocean, we always watched NBA finals together,” said Ronen Nuetra, Omer’s father.

    Omer’s basketball teammates here at home say they are in disbelief as they wait for updates about him. One teammate, Ari Kantorowitz, says Omer was always the joyous spirit of their group, even when they were bad.

    “He was our heart. He was the guy that was fighting for all of us that maybe weren’t as tough. He always brought like the hope that we could win,” Kantorowitz said.

    ALSO READ | Community calls for postpartum care changes after mother dies weeks after giving birth

    Sonia Rincon has more on the urgent call by family members and advocates for changes to postpartum care.

    ———-

    * Get Eyewitness News Delivered

    * More Manhattan news

    * Send us a news tip

    * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

    * Follow us on YouTube

    Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

    Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

    Copyright © 2024 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

    [ad_2]

    WABC

    Source link

  • ‘We have failed’: A conversation with the parents of an Israeli hostage | amNewYork

    ‘We have failed’: A conversation with the parents of an Israeli hostage | amNewYork

    [ad_1]

    Omer Neutra grew up in Long Island, New York, served as captain of his Jewish day school basketball team and worked as a lifeguard. He joined the Israel Defense Forces four years ago, and was serving as a tank commander when taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7.

    I spoke to his mother and father, Orna and Ronen Neutra, before they left for Israel on Tuesday. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

    Omer turned 22 a week after he was taken hostage. What did you do on his birthday?

    Orna Neutra: Omer was born on Oct. 14, one month after 9/11. We couldn’t believe that that was happening then and we just can’t believe that he’s involved in this prolonged terrorist attack now. On his birthday we had friends and family over to our house on Long Island and had a birthday cake with candles. But we didn’t blow them out. We just let them burn down. Only Omer can blow out his candles on his birthday.

    Do you agree with those who say Israel shouldn’t have hit an Iranian target in Syria earlier this month because it would focus attention away from the hostages? 

    Ronen Neutra: We’re not politicians, but we are very concerned right now that the focus has changed and that the situation with Iran is taking attention away from the real pressing issue — the hostages.

    Orna Neutra: I hear world leaders condemning the missile attack on Israel and I want to remind them that there are citizens of many countries still being held hostage in Gaza, and people of different religions. All of these countries should stand up and demand the release of the hostages as well.

    Do you spend time in his childhood room?

    Ronen Neutra: Omer has been in Israel for a good four years. He basically moved out and has an apartment near Tel Aviv. We have rented a different apartment near his. We are preparing it for his homecoming. And when we go to Israel, we stay there.

    Orna Neutra: Omer’s childhood room was a big mess just like any other kid’s. He built a life in Israel. But he is very social and his network there and in the U.S. is very big. So many people have reached out to us, from United Synagogue Youth, where he was a regional president, and from the Solomon Schechter School from which he graduated. Omer would remember that when Gilad Shalit was a hostage, Schechter students would pray for him every day. Omer now must know that his high school is similarly keeping him in their prayers. 

    Are American Jews doing enough to push for the release of the hostages?

    Orna Neutra: In our community there’s a rally every Sunday on behalf of the hostages. I know there are rallies all over the United States within the different Jewish communities. But it’s not enough. There’s still a large, silent crowd that needs to speak up.

    Ronen Neutra: If you look at the results, we have failed. For six months we have been fighting this fight. We’ve got to do different things in order to get them released because doing the same thing and expecting different results is not working.

    What do you do to stay hopeful?

    Orna Neutra: I say a verse of the Psalms — Psalm 23 — every day to send him protection. We know that many people around the world are doing similar things, praying for him and doing all kinds of deeds with him in mind. Omer is a very positive person by nature. He’s very empathetic himself. We really hope that he’s able to survive this — but for how much longer can he be a hostage?

    [ad_2]

    By Stewart Ain, The Forward

    Source link