Captain Omer Neutra Photo: IDF Press Office
The Israeli army has confirmed the death of Captain Omer Netra, a 21-year-old soldier who was captured by Hamas in an attack on 7 October last year. His body was taken to Gaza, where he died, according to new intelligence provided by the Special Military Commissariat, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Omer Neytra, one of the soldiers who served as a tank company commander in the 77th Battalion, 7th Brigade, was originally from New York. He was captured along with his fellow soldiers during a Hamas attack. His teammates included tank gunner Nimrod Cohen, who is currently being held in Gaza, and tank crewmen Oz Daniel and Shaked Dahan, who were killed in captivity, according to the IDF.
Omer Neutra left a great mark on the lives of his family and friends. He was described as a man with a big heart, optimistic and friendly, who always brought joy to others. His parents, Ronen and Orna Neutra, have been addressing journalists with the hope of a hostage exchange, saying they are hoping to use diplomatic leverage.
“Omer loved sports, played football, basketball and volleyball, and was captain of his school’s sports teams,” the Hostage Families Forum noted.
Hamas is currently holding around 50 live and 50 dead hostages out of the original 250 it took. Most of them were returned as part of a deal in November 2023, while others were rescued or died and their bodies were recovered.
