President Biden mourns slain American hostage Omer Neutra

US President Joe Biden said on Monday that he is grieving with the Neutra family, just hours after the IDF confirmed that Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old from New York, was killed on October 7 and was taken to Gaza, where his corpse has been held hostage by Hamas since then.

“Our hearts are heavy today,” Biden said in a statement from the White House. “Jill and I are devastated and outraged to learn of the death of Omer Neutra, an American citizen, whose body Hamas has apparently been holding since they killed him during their brutal terrorist attack on October 7.”

Neutra was abducted to the Gaza Strip on October 7 along with members of his tank crew.

Biden wrote that he once again met Omer’s parents, Orna and Ronen, during a meeting at the White House last month with the other family members of American hostages.

Pain beyond belief

The Neutras shared with the president the “pain they’ve endured as they prayed for the safe return of their son – pain no parent should ever know.”

“They told me how Omer’s grandparents were Holocaust survivors and how their family’s strength and resilience has been carried through the generations,” Biden said. “During this dark hour – as our nation joins Omer’s parents, brother, and family in grieving this tragic loss – we pray to find strength and resilience.

To the families of remaining hostages, Biden said,  “We see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong.”

President Isaac Herzog wrote in a post on X/Twitter, “Our hearts are with the Neutra family this morning, who, after more than a year of a determined, traumatic, and worldwide struggle, received the devastating news confirming the death of their beloved son.

“Over the past year, we had the privilege of meeting his parents, Ronen and Orna, and his brother, Daniel – a strong family with extraordinary resilience who have dedicated their lives since October 7 to doing everything in their power to bring Omer home,” Herzog continued.

“We must fulfill the ultimate imperative,” the president emphasized, “to return Omer and all our abducted men and women – the living to their families, and the fallen and murdered to be laid to rest.

Defense Minister Israel Katz extended his condolences to Neutra’s family in a post on X.

“Omer’s life story and dedication represent the best and strongest qualities within us as a people,” Katz wrote.

“A warrior who bravely stood his ground in battle,” he noted, “sacrificing his life for the security of the State of Israel against our fiercest enemies.”

“Bringing the hostages home is our most critical mission, and we will do everything to achieve it.”

Opposition head Yair Lapid expressed his condolences in a post on X, writing, “Every passing day time is running out. We must do everything to bring everyone home now.”

Garin Tzabar, an organization that helps and follows Diaspora Jews who draft to the IDF, said, “We are heartbroken… Omer was a cherished member of our Garin Tzabar family, and his bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We will continue to demand that Omer is brought home to be laid to rest in the land he fought to defend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this unimaginable time.