Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Slain American-Israeli Soldier Omer Neutra Returned to Israel
Israel recovered the remains of three slain hostages from Hamas, including 22-year-old U.S.-Israeli Captain Omer Neutra, in a Red Cross-mediated handover at Kerem Shalom.
Israeli forces retrieved the remains of three deceased hostages from Hamas via the International Red Cross at the Kerem Shalom crossing Sunday, including those of 22-year-old American-Israeli Captain Omer Neutra, killed during the October 7, 2023 masscare.
Neutra, a Long Island native and IDF tank commander, was abducted from Nahal Oz and confirmed dead based on intelligence. His parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, who led a high-profile campaign for his return, expressed "relief amid profound grief" after 760 days of uncertainty.
He was a basketball enthusiast and yeshiva student and had deferred his U.S. college plans to serve in the IDF.
President Donald Trump announced the return on X, stating he spoke with Neutra's parents, Ronen and Orna, who expressed "relief amid profound grief" after two years of uncertainty. Trump called it a "small comfort."
The Neutras, who led the "Bring Omer Home" campaign, had met Trump multiple times during his 2024 run.
The other two bodies were identified as Asaf Hamami and Oz Daniel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the return as "bittersweet," vowing to recover all 101 remaining hostages amid stalled ceasefire talks.