A Long Island family is desperately appealing for the return of their son, Omer Neutra, who was captured by Hamas in Gaza three months ago, sparking a mission to bring him home. The nightmare began on Oct. 7, when Omer’s unit was attacked and he, along with many others, was taken into Gaza. Since then, his family has been living in a painful limbo with no word on Omer’s whereabouts or condition.
Ronen and Orna Neutra are among the more than 130 families pressing for a deal that would bring all the hostages home at once. As the months go by, their plea to the Israeli government is to not wait for a complete cease-fire with Hamas or the end of the war before securing the release of their son and the other hostages.
Negotiations for an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas remain caught between the demands for a full cease-fire and the desire to eliminate the group from Gaza. The situation became more urgent when the recent killing of a top Hamas leader in Beirut complicated the talks. Despite the setback, the Neutras are relentless in their mission, lobbying lawmakers and attending vigils to keep the spotlight on the plight of their son and the other hostages.
Omer’s parents cling to a flicker of hope amidst their relentless work, shuttling between Washington and Tel Aviv and continuing to raise awareness about the kidnapped hostages. They believe their son is likely being held in the tunnels beneath Gaza, which present severe living conditions for the captives. For now, all they can do is continue their relentless work, appealing to the Israeli and U.S. governments to act urgently before it’s too late.
The Neutras are joined by Israeli and other American families in the painful waiting game, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to do whatever it takes to bring them home. The situation remains dire for the hostages, with Hamas rejecting a proposed truce by Israel. Amid the growing danger, families continue to press for a resolution, with the hope of reuniting with their loved ones becoming more urgent with each passing day.
As they continue their tireless efforts, the Neutras are also tending to the future they hope to have with their son. They are looking for a new apartment and filling it with his belongings, hoping to create a space for Omer to rebuild his life and heal. With unwavering determination, they believe that Omer is alive and that, despite the overwhelming challenges, they will bring him home.