Netanyahu eulogizes slain hostage Omer Neutra, vows to bring his body home

By Lazar Berman

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2 December 2024, 12:55 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Ronen Neutra, father of Omer Neutra, wears a shirt with an image of his son on it as he speaks to reporters after a meeting with then-US president Joe Biden and the families of Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attacks in Israel, on December 13, 2023, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)

In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara send their condolences to family of Omer Neutra, the US-Israeli tank officer whom the IDF announced today was killed on October 7 and his body taken into Gaza.

Until now it had been believed that Neutra was alive and being held hostage.

“Omer was a man of values, blessed with talents and a Zionist in every sense of the word,” says Netanyahu. “He immigrated to Israel to enlist in the IDF, chose a combat path and was chosen to command and lead.”

He adds that Israel “will not rest or be silent until we return him home for a Jewish burial, and we will continue to act resolutely and tirelessly until we return all of our hostages.”