Logo

Omer Neutra’s parents have endured 275 days of silence from their son.

Orna and Ronen Neutra, of Plainview, New York, haven’t heard one word from the 22-year-old since he was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7.

“Nine months waking up every morning, hoping Omer is also waking up too,” his mother Orna said.

Hundreds of people gathered at Central Park on Sunday to call on Hamas to release New York-native Omer and the rest of the remaining hostages in Gaza – as Israel and the terror group approach a cease-fire deal.

He is one of eight American hostages who remains in Hamas’ clutches, with his mother praying for her son’s safe return.


  New Yorkers Orna and Ronen Neutra (left) led a rally in Central Park calling for the release of their son, Omer, who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7. LP Media New Yorkers Orna and Ronen Neutra (left) led a rally in Central Park calling for the release of their son, Omer, who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7. LP Media

  Hundreds came out to the rally on Sunday, urging Israel to accept a US-backed hostage negotiation deal. LP Media Hundreds came out to the rally on Sunday, urging Israel to accept a US-backed hostage negotiation deal. LP Media

“It has been nine months since the last phone call with Omer from his post,” Orna added. “I can still hear his voice.

“I can’t imagine what he is going through, with no signs of life.”

Omer had foregone his acceptance to Binghamton University to join the Israeli military. He decided to enlist to help protect the friends he made while attending a military prep program, his parents previously told The Post.

The Israel Defense Forces tank commander was stationed near the Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel when his base was attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, with footage showing the terrorists igniting Omer’s armored vehicle and kidnapping the young soldier.


  The rally in Central Park commemorated the nine-month anniversary of the Oct.7 terrorist attack in Israel. LP Media The rally in Central Park commemorated the nine-month anniversary of the Oct.7 terrorist attack in Israel. LP Media

Omer’s father, Ronen, said Israel has a responsibility to free his son and the some 119 others following news that Israel and Hamas negotiators were mulling a new, US-back hostage deal – even if it means that the war will end before his country can destroy the terror group.

“The war needs to end and bring the hostages home,” Ronen said. “The elimination of Hamas is important but will take time and patience.”

“No one can be left behind,” he added. “The time is now, bring them home now.”

The frustrated father said the war has “ruined” the trust many Israelis put in their government and army. He called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to “put their political agendas aside and put the hostages’ lives as the priority.”


  Many came in support of the eight American hostages who remain in Hamas captivity. LP Media Many came in support of the eight American hostages who remain in Hamas captivity. LP Media

Netanyahu has repeatedly said that military might is the best way to free the hostages, with the Israeli leader refusing to entertain any deal that ends the war prematurely and allows Hamas to remain in Gaza.

The brother-in-law of another hostage, Omri Miran, echoed the importance of keeping the kidnapped Israelis at the forefront of any cease-fire deal.

Once Miran and the rest of the hostages are released, then Israel can focus on fighting its enemies, Moshe Emilio Lavi said.

“We know we’re fighting an evil, terrorist organization,” he said. “We know we’ll continue to fight them and the Axis of Evil run backed by Iran.”


  The supporters chanted “Bring them home now!” during Sunday’s rally. LP Media The supporters chanted “Bring them home now!” during Sunday’s rally. LP Media

Friends of other American hostages also came out to Sunday’s event, including an Israeli military reservist who identified himself as Afek.

Afek said he was participating in the rally for his friend, Itay Chen, a 19-year-old American citizen who joined the IDF and was later revealed to have been killed on Oct. 7.

Like the Omers, Afek said that the Israeli government needs to prioritize the hostages’ release, but the reservist also sympathized with the Israeli government’s struggle to reach a cease-fire deal.


  Omer, a New York-native, enlisted in the IDF and served as a tank commander when Hamas militants ambushed his squad. Family Handout Omer, a New York-native, enlisted in the IDF and served as a tank commander when Hamas militants ambushed his squad. Family Handout

“I think it’s a really really complicated situation because Hamas is a terrorist organization and has lied about everything,” he said, “and it’s hard to make a deal with them.”

He added: “I don’t know the solution, but I hope the government or someone will do something.”

The rally comes a day after Hamas accepted the US-backed cease-fire agreement, with the terror group finally dropping its hardline demand that Israel ends the war.

The Iran-backed terror group, however, is now demanding “written guarantees” that mediators will continue to negotiate a permanent truce during the first phase of the cease-fire.

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy