The distraught parents of an American-born Israeli soldier who is believed to be missing have received formal confirmation from Israeli officials that their son is one of the hostages being held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza.
Ronen and Orna Neutra told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Thursday night that someone from the Israeli consulate came to their home Monday night to share the devastating news that their 21-year-old son, Omer Neutra, had been kidnapped.
“Someone gave us the formal news that he was considered kidnapped by Hamas, but they didn’t give any further explanations,” said a somber Orna.
As of Thursday, Israeli officials estimate that at least 150 people are being held captive by the Palestinian militant group.
The Neutras were one of 97 families already notified by officials of their loved one’s imprisonment, according to Israeli media.
Omer was serving as a tank commander near the Gaza border when he was captured by Hamas
Orna and Ronen Neutra (pictured) talk to Anderson Cooper on Thursday evening
The family sent out a statement on Facebook on Thursday with the hashtag #BringOmerHome
Omer took a gap year from college and deferred his acceptance to Binghamton University so he could join the Israeli army and follow in his parents’ footsteps.
He started as an officer in the IDF and worked his way up to tank commander.
Omer’s father said they spoke to their son on Friday afternoon, a seven-hour time difference. He said that his son sounded fine, but a little tired. He said he had been very busy the last two weeks with the Jewish holidays.
“He was looking forward to a quiet, peaceful weekend — Shabbat and the Simchat Torah holiday — and just relaxing with his friends,” Ronen said.
At midnight, they saw on a news app that something was happening in the southern part of Israel and they said they called him immediately but couldn’t get through.
They waited and they prayed as they watched the horror unfold.
Ronen said one of Omer’s friends showed him a video two days after the attack.
He recalls, ‘it was pretty shocking,’ he said. ‘I asked a good friend to come over and look at it. I knew it was something I wasn’t ready to watch. He wasn’t sure, but thought he saw Omer in the footage.’
He later learned more details about his son’s whereabouts from a close friend as they tried to figure out the timeline of the ambush.
Orna said: ‘Omer was in a tank so we know he was taken out of the tank.’
His father added: ‘We saw him walking in the video. He was healthy … he stood … and we expect to get him back in the same way.’
“They were ready to defend the border, but unfortunately they seem to have been caught by surprise.”
Omer at a sporting event with his parents and brother
Oren, who is from Plainview, Long Island, graduated from Solomon Schechter, a yeshiva in Williston Park, where he was an honors student.
A keen sportsman. He was also a captain of his basketball, football and volleyball teams and highly active in various Jewish community organizations, including serving as the regional president of the Metropolitan New York region of United Synagogue Youth, his parents said.
After graduating high school, they said their Omer wanted to delay his college acceptance so he could spend a gap year in Israel to connect with their family roots.
‘The experience had an impact on his decision to stay in Israel and do what he believed in – to serve and protect the people of Israel.
They issued a statement on Facebook on Thursday with the hashtag #BringOrenHome.
“He is a born leader and a wonderful son, friend and a passionate, giving person,” they said. “That’s what he did on Saturday morning, October 7, on the border of Gaza, when Hamas took him.”
“We ask the Hamas leaders to continue to treat Omer and all the hostages in a humanitarian manner in accordance with international law,” the spokesman said in part.
And sent a message to their son, who will be 22 in two days: ‘Omer – we love you and look forward to bringing you and the others home.’
On Thursday, the news of Omer sent shockwaves through the Solomon Schecter community, sharing in a statement that they were “heartbroken” by the news of their former student.
“We join the Neutra family in our pride in this tremendous young man, a natural born leader and great friend to all who know him,” they wrote.
The Midway Jewish Center in Plainview posted a sign outside the synagogue with the words ‘Bring Omer Home’ and on their website that received hundreds of views.
Several rallies and prayer vigils were held throughout the week across the tri-state in support of Israel.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke Tuesday night at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Long Island about the horrific attack attended by thousands of supporters.