From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
US House honors slain Israeli-American hostage Omer Neutra: ‘Young man of extraordinary courage’
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The US House of Representatives honors American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra, whose killing by the Hamas terror group on October 7, 2023, was confirmed by the IDF on Monday after more than 400 days. His body is being held in the Gaza Strip.
Rep. Mike Lawler says New Yorkers have a “heavy heart” over Neutra’s death.
“Omer’s loss is deeply felt by the entire community in New York and across America,” he says. “Flags have been flown at half staff in our state in his honor. And we all join together in mourning a young man of extraordinary courage and conviction.”
He says that Neutra’s death is a “loss for our country.”
Lawler sends his deepest condolences to Neutra’s family and praises his parents for their fight to secure their son’s release.
US President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for UN ambassador, Rep. Elise Stefanik, says that October 7 was “one of the darkest days in history,” and that Neutra’s actions on the day showed he was “incredibly brave.”
Stefanik also praises the “strength and resilience” of Neutra’s parents Orna and Ronen, saying their fight for their child “truly embodies the light that Israel stands for and that Hamas tried, and failed, to extinguish.”
Neutra, a so-called lone soldier from New York, served as a tank platoon commander in the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion. He was killed in battle with terrorists during the Hamas onslaught. His death was declared by the Military Rabbinate based on new findings and intelligence information.
The Times of Israel Community.