Memorial service held for Long Island native Omer Neutra
The Israeli military confirmed Neutra, a Plainview native, died on Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas militant attack that killed more than 1,000 and captured another 250 hostages.
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The Long Island community celebrated the life of Omer Neutra at a memorial service in Syosset Tuesday morning.
Neutra, a Plainview native, was serving as a tank commander in the Israeli military on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack that killed more than 1,000 people and took another 250 people hostage. The 21-year-old was believed to be a living hostage but Monday, the Israeli military said new intel revealed Neutra was killed during the attack and militants took his body into Gaza.
Israeli officials said his body is still being held there.
Hundreds attended Omer's memorial, which was standing room only. His mother, Orna Neutra, addressed her son at the memorial.
"We will miss you forever and love you forever," she said.
Omer was described by loved ones as a leader and incredible person who was inclusive. They say he was a young man who loved sharing experiences and joy with others.
The Neutra family is sitting shiva at the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset.
Neutra grew up on Long Island where his parents, Ronen and Orna, still live. For more than a year, his parents went on a country-wide media blitz demanding the U.S. and Israel come up with a solution to secure Neutra's release as well as the remaining hostages.
RELATED: A conversation with Ronen and Orna Neutra – parents of a Hamas hostage from Long Island
They spoke publicly on Long Island as recently as this past Sunday, Dec. 1, with public pleas to free their son.
"Our beloved son Omer was a natural leader who made others around him better with his warmth and ability to engage and encourage others to be their best," the family said in a statement Monday night. "He was deeply committed to both the people and land of Israel and immigrated to Israel out of that same deep commitment."
Neutra attended the Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park where he was an avid basketball player. He took a gap year after high school in Israel before he was set to attend SUNY Binghamton but decided to stay abroad and joined the Israeli Defense Forces instead.
Neutra was one of seven American citizens held in Gaza. Four, including Neutra, have been pronounced dead.
Tuesday's memorial was at the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset.
