Omer Neutra, a Long Island native and Israeli soldier, confirmed his death in a Hamas attack on October 7

MIDTOWN EAST, Manhattan (WABC) — A Long Island family mourns the loss of their loved one following the Hamas attack on the Nova Music Festival in Israel on October 7, 2023.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Monday that Omer Neutra was killed in the Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and his body was returned to Gaza.

Neutra is originally from Plainview, Long Island.

He was believed to have been 23 years old when his family celebrated what was supposed to be his second birthday in captivity in October. He died at the age of 21.

“For the past 423 days – almost 14 months – we have worked nonstop to do everything possible to bring Omer home alive,” his family said in a statement. “It was an unimaginable nightmare to act in the hope that he was alive when there had been little information or signs of life since he was seen on video on October 7th. Our beloved son Omer was a natural leader who rallied others.” He deeply committed himself through his warmth and ability to engage others and encourage them to be their best.

They said he and his team were first in the line of fire as they piloted a disabled tank and tried to defend the border.

“In the 423 days since October 7, we expected our leaders to show the same courage that Omer so bravely demonstrated and to rise to the challenge on behalf of those killed and abducted, just as our beloved one did Omer showed until the end.” Her statement continued. “While we appreciate the support we have received from so many in our community, in New York, in Israel and around the world, the feeling today is very difficult. The grief is difficult.”

In a statement announcing the death, the military did not say how Neutra’s fate came about. He was one of seven American Israelis still held in Gaza, four of whom are now believed to be dead. Hamas released a video over the weekend of one, Edan Alexander, showing he was still alive.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu said in a joint statement on Monday that they would “not rest or remain silent” until Neutra’s body was recovered from the Gaza Strip.

Neutra “fought fiercely at the head of his soldiers to defend the settlements around Gaza until he fell,” Netanyahu’s statement said. “We share the family’s deep sadness,” it continued.

“We will continue to act decisively and tirelessly until we have returned all of our prisoners – the living and the dead,” the statement said.

President Joe Biden released a statement Monday saying he and the first lady were devastated to learn of Neutra’s death.

“Omer is from Long Island and planned to return to the United States to study. He dreamed of dedicating himself to building peace,” the statement said. “Less than a month ago, Omer’s mother and father came to me at the White House to tell me the pain they had endured as they prayed for their son’s safe return – pain that no parent should ever experience. They told me how Omer’s grandparents were Holocaust survivors and how their families’ strength and resilience was carried through generations.”

Neighbors gathered Monday night to pray for Neutra at a local synagogue.

Plainview isn’t a small town, but Neutra’s tragedy hits hard here.

“We believed one thing and then found out it was the other, and that is the great difficulty we have to overcome,” said Rabbi Elizabeth Zeller of Temple Chaverim. “Knowing that we were hoping and praying the whole time, only for this to really be destroyed.”

Neutra’s body is still being held somewhere in Gaza, and it is not at all clear when it will be sent over.

His family is planning a memorial service Tuesday on Long Island as they face the reality they have feared for 14 months.

Meanwhile, there are believed to still be three American citizens living as hostages in the Gaza Strip. Biden continued to say he would not stop working to bring those still held hostage home.

Neutra’s parents have been vocal about the release of hostages in Gaza, including their son. They took part in a rally that took place in Central Park on Sunday.

While they said they welcomed news of the ceasefire in Lebanon, they were frustrated that it was not linked to the release of hostages.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that flags will be lowered to half-staff at New York state facilities Tuesday for Neutra’s funeral.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages.

The Associated Press contributed to parts of this story,

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