President Biden said Monday that an Israeli-American, Omer Neutra, was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas and that militants had been holding his body since the raid.

Mr. Biden said Neutra, a 21-year-old U.S. citizen, was serving as a tank commander in an Israel Defense Forces unit and was among the first soldiers to respond to the terror attack on Israel.

“A Long Island native, Omer planned to return to the United States for college. He dreamed of dedicating himself to building peace,” Mr. Biden said.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz announced Neutra’s death, saying he “fell in a heroic battle near Nir Oz on October 7.”

The announcement underscored the uncertain fate of roughly 100 hostages held by Hamas. It is unclear how many remain alive.

The Oct. 7 raids killed more than 1,000 people in Israel and sparked an aggressive military campaign by Israel to rout militants in Hamas-controlled Gaza, a strip of land between Israel and Egypt.

Mr. Biden said he had met with Neutra’s parents at the White House as they prayed for his safe return.

“They told me how Omer’s grandparents were Holocaust survivors and how their family’s strength and resilience has been carried through the generations,” Mr. Biden said. “During this dark hour — as our nation joins Omer’s parents, brother, and family in grieving this tragic loss — we pray to find strength and resilience. And to all the families of those still held hostage: We see you. We are with you. And I will not stop working to bring your loved ones back home where they belong.”

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.