The mom of an Israeli-American hostage from Lengthy Island stated Sunday that the increasing struggle within the Center East is distracting the world from the plight of the captives.
“In fact we’re frightened,” Orna Neutra stated of her 22-year-old son Omer after a Central Park rally marking his second birthday spent as a hostage of the Palestinian terror group Hamas in Gaza.
“It’s taking away consideration from Gaza,” she stated of the widening Mideast battle.
Practically 300 folks gathered for the Manhattan rally to mark Omer’s twenty third birthday Monday and to name for all the hostages nonetheless held within the Gaza Strip to be launched and returned residence.
“At this time we have fun your birthday as soon as once more whilst you’re within the terror dungeons of Hamas,” Omer’s father, Ronen, stated on the rally. “However hope is obligatory.”
Omer, who grew up in Plainview and left to affix the Israel Protection Drive in Israel, was captured close to his navy base Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched a sneak assault that killed 1,200 Israelis and took about 250 hostage.
Officers consider about 100 captives are nonetheless being held.
Israel launched a counteroffensive in Gaza that has lingered for a yr — with the battle now increasing into Iran and Lebanon.
“We’re not grieving,” Orna stated of her son. “We hope that he’s alive. That’s what we’re praying for.”
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