


A Long Island family has received formal confirmation that their 21-year-old son, Omer Neutra, is among the more than 100 people being held hostage by Hamas.
A member of the Israeli consulate came to Ronen and Orna Neutra’s home in Plainview Monday evening to deliver the devastating news, they told CNN late Thursday.
“Someone gave us the formal news that he was considered abducted by Hamas, but they did not give any further explanation,” Orna said.
Omer took a gap year off college, deferring his acceptance to Binghamton University, so he could join the Israeli army and follow in the footsteps of his parents.
He started off as an officer in the Israeli Defense Forces, then made his way up to tank commander.
The last time his parents spoke to him was Friday afternoon — just hours before Hamas would launch a devastating surprise attack on the Jewish nation.

“He was looking forward to a quiet, peaceful weekend — Shabbat and the Simchat Torah holiday — and to just chill with his friends,” Ronen said.
But by midnight, Ronen and Orna started to receive notifications on a news app that something was happening in southern Israel.
They tried desperately to call their son, but could not get through, they said.
Israel believes at least 150 people — mostly civilians — were taken hostage by the Hamas terrorists now threatening to execute them and post the videos online. The Neutras are one of 97 families so far officially notified that their loved one is among those snatched.