The bodies of three Israeli soldiers, which were being held hostage in Gaza, were returned to Israel for a proper burial. Hamas still is holding onto eight bodies of hostages.
By Rachel Avraham
Col. Asaf Hamami, 40, Capt. Omer Neutra, 21, and St.-Sgt. Oz Daniel, 19, were identified on Monday as the three hostages whose remains were returned to Israel by Hamas via the Red Cross on Sunday, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed, the Jerusalem Post reported.
According to the report, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz eulogized the three soldiers “who fell in battle while defending the Gaza border communities with supreme heroism. The State of Israel bows its head in pain and in pride over their bravery. Asaf, Omer, and Oz are returning home today to their eternal resting place in the soil of the land they defended until the very end. I wish to send condolences and an embrace to their families.”
The Prime Minister’s Office told Arutz Sheva: “The Israeli government shares in the deep sorrow of the families of IDF soldiers Hamami, Neutra, and Daniel and of all the families of the fallen hostages. The government and the entire Israeli security forces are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return all of our fallen hostages for a proper burial in Israel. The Hamas terrorist organization is required to fulfill its obligations to the mediators and return them within the framework of the implementation of the agreement. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we return all of the hostages, down to the last one.”
US presidential envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff commented Sunday night on the return of Capt. Neutra’s body, Israel Hayom reported. Neutra, age 22, was a US citizen and lone soldier, who proudly made Aliyah in order to serve in the IDF. He had deferred his acceptance into Birmingham University in order to complete his IDF service first. However, he was murdered while fighting off the October 7th massacre. Witcoff told Israel Hayom: “I spoke with Omer’s parents earlier this evening. I’m gratified that the efforts of President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu succeeded in bringing the Neutra family a measure of closure. Omer was a hero, and his memory will be a blessing to all who knew or heard of him.”
Colonel Hamami, age 41, who was murdered on October 7, is believed to be the first soldier to have declared that Israel was at war, the Jerusalem Post noted. “People, we’re at war, we’re at war!” he announced shortly before his death. Serving as the commander of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade, Hamami rushed to Kibbutz Nirim on the morning of October 7, where he was killed by terrorists who then kidnapped his body, the Jerusalem Post added. According to the report, he was the highest-ranking officer whose remains were taken into Gaza. Daniel, 19, was remembered as a music lover and fan of Guns N’ Roses who left behind his parents and twin sister, Israel Hayom reported.
Israel Hayom reported that eight deceased hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip: Hadar Goldin, Itay Chen, Manny Godard, Lior Rudaeff, Dror Or, Ran Gvili, Joshua Lewito Mulol and Sutthisak Rintalak.
Photo from IDF Spokesperson’s Unit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asaf_Hamami#/media/File:Colonel_Asaf_Hamami.jpg
