President Isaac Herzog responded to the announcement that Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, an IDF soldier who was kidnapped to Gaza on October 7, 2023, has been declared a fallen IDF soldier
"Our hearts are with the Neutra family this morning, who, after more than a year of a determined, traumatic, and worldwide struggle, received the devastating news confirming the death of their beloved son, Captain Omer Maxim Neutra, who fell on October 7th, and his body abducted by terrorists into Gaza" Herzog wrote.
"Omer was born and raised in the United States and chose to make Aliyah to Israel, and enlist in the IDF to stand in the defense of our people. After a preparatory year with the Garin Tzabar program, he service as a tank platoon commander", he added, "Over the past year, we had the privilege of meeting his parents, Ronen and Orna, and his brother Daniel—a strong family with extraordinary resilience, who have dedicated their lives since October 7th to doing everything in their power to bring Omer home. I extend my warmest embrace to them and to all the families of the hostages enduring this horrific ordeal."
"We must fulfill the ultimate imperative: to return Omer, and all our abducted men and women - the living to their families, and the fallen and murdered to be laid to rest", the president concluded.