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.
