‘Words alone have no power to comfort’: Family of US-Israeli hostage killed on Oct. 7 calls for Gaza deal

In their first statement following the IDF’s revelation that American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra was killed during Hamas’s October 7 onslaught, the 21-year-old’s family says words alone will not bring them comfort and calls on the leaders of Israel and the United States to act to bring home the remaining hostages.

“In the 423 days since October 7, we expected our leaders to demonstrate the same courage displayed so bravely by Omer and rise to the occasion on behalf of those who were killed and kidnapped, just as our beloved Omer showed until the very end,” Omer’s parents Ronen and Orna and brother Daniel say in a joint statement, expressing their gratitude for the support they have received around the world during their struggle.

“Sadly, time has run out to bring Omer home alive and words alone have no power to comfort. Leadership will only be revealed in actions and results going forward. We call upon the Israeli government to work with President Biden and President-elect Trump, to use all of their leverage and resources to return all 101 hostages — living and the deceased — to their families as soon as possible,” they add.