UPDATE: The parents of slain U.S.-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra are pleading with Hamas to return their son’s remains as they fear he may be lost to them “forever.” Ronen and Orna Neutra expressed their anguish during a heart-wrenching interview on “Fox & Friends,” revealing the emotional torment of waiting for their son’s remains amid ongoing negotiations.
The Neutras thanked the Trump administration for securing the release of living hostages but criticized Hamas for not returning their son’s body. “We came here on Sunday, prepared to receive him on Monday, and as the day went by and only four hostages were released, and our son wasn’t among them, it was devastating,” Orna Neutra said.
Omer Neutra, a 19-year-old IDF platoon commander, was taken hostage during Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. His remains are among those that Hamas has yet to return under the first stage of a peace agreement brokered by President Donald Trump. Orna and Ronen Neutra are now calling for urgent action from U.S. officials to ensure their son’s remains are brought home.
The family described the past weeks as “torturous,” with uncertainty looming as Hamas has failed to confirm future releases. “We stay awake all night because they usually have been brought back to Israel after midnight and only identified by 3 or 4 a.m.,” Orna said, highlighting the emotional strain families face during this waiting period.
Despite the release of all remaining living hostages over the weekend, Hamas has not fulfilled its promise to return deceased hostages, leaving the Neutra family and others in despair. Ronen Neutra urged U.S. leaders to use their influence in the Middle East to press for the return of the deceased, warning that failure to do so could reignite conflict. “If they don’t come out, this ceasefire is going to collapse, and this is going to be horrible. We may lose our boy forever,” he stated.
Their plea comes amidst growing concerns that the stalled negotiations could lead to renewed violence, further complicating the hostage situation. The Neutras, like many families of hostages, seek closure through proper burial rites, which have been denied to them for over two years.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on both the urgency of returning the remains and the potential impact on regional stability. The Neutra family’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict, making their calls for action more compelling than ever.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.