The distraught parents of a US-born Israeli soldier believed to be missing has been given formal confirmation by 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 Thursday night that someone from the Israeli consulate came to their home on Monday evening to share the devastating news that their 21-year-old son, Omer Neutra, has been kidnapped.
‘Someone gave us the formal news that he was considered abducted by Hamas but they did not give any further explanations,’ a somber Orna said.
As of Thursday, Israeli officials estimate that at least 150 people are being held prisoner by the Palestinian militant group.
The Neutra’s were one of 97 families already notified by officials of their loved one’s captivity, 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) speak to Anderson Cooper on Thursday night
The family sent out a statement on Facebook on Thursday with the hashtag #BringOmerHome
Omer took a gap year off of college, deferring his acceptance to Binghamton University, so he could join the Israeli army and follow in the footsteps of his parents.
He started as an officer in the IDF and worked his way up to tank commander.
Omer’s father said that they spoke to their son on Friday afternoon, a seven hour time difference. He said that his son sounded good, 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 to just chill with his friends,’ Ronen said.
By midnight, they saw on a news app that their was something happening on the Southern portion of Israel and they said they immediately called him but could not get through.
They wait and they prayed as they watched the horror unfolding.
Ronen said that one of Omer’s friends showed him a video two days after the attack.
He recalled, ‘it was pretty shocking,’ he said. ‘I asked a good friend to come over and watch 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 from a close friend more details about his son’s whereabouts as they tried to figure out the timeline of the ambush.
Orna said, ‘Omer was in a tank so we know that he was taken out of the tank.’
His father added, ‘We saw him walking in the video. He was well…he was standing …and we expect to get him back the same way.’
‘They were ready to defend the border, but unfortunately it seems they were 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.
An avid sportsman. He was also a captain of his basketball, soccer and volleyball teams and highly active in several 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 that their Omer wanted to defer his college acceptance so he could spend a gap year in Israel connecting with their family’s roots.
‘The experience impacted his decision to stay in Israel and do what he believed in – serving and protecting the people of Israel.
On Thursday, they issued a statement on Facebook with the hashtag #BringOrenHome.
‘He’s a born leader and a great son, friend and a passionate, giving person,’ they said. ‘This is what he was doing on Saturday morning, October 7th, 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 way in accordance with international law,’ the said, in part.
And sent a message to their son, who will turn 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 and shared in a statement that they were ‘heartbroken’ by the news of their alum.
‘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 has a sign outside the synagogue with the words, ‘Bring Omer Home,’ and posted on their website that garnered hundreds of views.
Several rallies and prayer vigils have been held throughout the week across the tri-state are in support of Israel.
On Tuesday night, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman spoke at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Long Island addressing the heinous attack that were attended by thousands of supporters.
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