A New York family has confirmed that their son is among the hostages taken by Hamas in the aftermath of a surprise attack on Israel.
The Plainview Volunteer Fire Department posted a statement on Facebook from Ronen and Orna Neutra of Long Island, the parents of 21-year-old Omer Neutra.
Omer, an Israeli-American citizen, had been taking a gap year in Israel to connect with his “family’s roots” when he decided to continue to stay to serve in the Israeli military.
He “is a fun-loving person, a huge sports enthusiast, especially of the Knicks, and always found himself in leadership roles – captain of school sports and regional president of his youth group,” the Neutras wrote in their statement.
Orna Neutra explained to CNN that someone from the Israeli consulate had stopped by their home to give them the “formal news that he was considered abducted by Hamas” and added they had not received any other explanation.
“He’s a born leader and a great son, friend, and a passionate, giving person,” the Neutras continued in their statement. “After graduating high school, he decided to defer his college acceptance and spend a gap year in Israel connecting with our family’s roots. This experience impacted his decision to stay in Israel and do what he believed in – serving and protecting the people of Israel.”
Omer Neutra reportedly last spoke with his parents Friday night from his station on the Gaza Strip border. He said everything seemed OK, the Neutras told the New York Times.
“Then all hell broke loose and we haven’t spoken to him since,” Orma Neutra told the outlet.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) expressed his support for the Neutras in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“The war hits home,” Adams wrote. “Ronen and Orna of Long Island are waiting news on their son Omer, who was kidnapped by Hamas this weekend. This is our fight. It just is.”
Adams continued to stress the importance to bringing “every hostage home.”
The war hits home.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) October 11, 2023
Ronen and Orna of Long Island are waiting news on their son Omer, who was kidnapped by Hamas this weekend.
This fight is our fight. It just is.
We #StandWithIsrael.
And we must bring every hostage home. pic.twitter.com/5LlwZjrdNZ
Israeli officials estimate that 150 people have been taken hostage by Hamas in Gaza, according to NBC News.
To date, more than 1,300 Israelis have been killed as a result of the ongoing violence, the majority of which occurred from Saturday’s brutal attacks on Israel, which included babies, children, women, and entire families being murdered. Among those killed are 27 Americans; 14 Americans are still unaccounted for.
“We ask the Hamas leaders to continue to treat Omer and all the hostages in a humanitarian way in accordance with international law,” the Neutras added.
IJR reached out to the Neutras but did not receive a response by the time of publication.