Israeli-American Soldier Honored in Jerusalem Amid Conflict

Jerusalem, Nov 7 (AP) Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects at the military funeral of Capt Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American soldier whose body was recently returned to Israel as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Neutra was 21 years old when he was killed by Hamas militants and his body was abducted to Gaza during the attack on October 7, 2023, which marked the start of the conflict. His remains, along with those of two other soldiers, were returned to Israel on Sunday night.

Ronen Neutra, Omer's father, expressed the profound sense of loss felt by the family. “Since that day, the old world stopped, turned upside down. We became broken, clinging to your memory, your smile, your voice,” he said. “Today we finally have a place to be with you, a place to talk to you, a place to love you, even when you're no longer here.”

The ceremony also featured words from Adm Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Cooper paid tribute to Neutra as “the son of two nations” who embodied the best of both the United States and Israel. “Uniquely, he has firmly cemented his place in history as the hero of two countries,” Cooper noted.

Orna Neutra, Omer's mother, spoke last. Standing in front of her son's coffin, she said, “My beloved, we are all left with the vast space between who you were to us and to the world in your life and what you were yet to become. And with the mission to fill that gap with the light and goodness that you are.”

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Neutra moved to Israel to volunteer in the military. Following his abduction, his parents persistently lobbied for their son, visiting Washington around 40 times, participating in protests, and even speaking at the Republican National Convention.

For over a year after the attack, the family held onto hope that Omer was still alive. It was only after 14 months that they were informed by the military, based on intelligence, that Omer had been killed in the initial attack.

Exchanges of the Dead

As part of the ceasefire agreement, exchanges of deceased individuals have been taking place. Hamas has released 22 bodies, while Israel has returned 285 Palestinian bodies to Gaza. The arrangement requires the rapid return of all hostage remains as part of the ceasefire, which aims to de-escalate the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Meanwhile, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials reported the deaths of three teenagers at the hands of Israeli troops. The teenagers, whose bodies were confiscated, were shot amid claims of throwing explosives. The incidents are part of a wider trend of violence in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the teenagers as Muhammad Atem and Muhammad Qasem, both 16, and Murad Abu Seifen, 15. The location of Abu Seifen's body remains unknown.

Defense for Children International-Palestine has documented that Israeli forces have withheld bodies of at least 54 Palestinian children since June 2016. Intensified military operations in the West Bank have raised concerns over the increase in violence, with numerous Palestinian children being killed during the Israeli military raids.

Adding to the tension is the surge in settler violence amid the olive harvest season, with Palestinian farmers facing increased threats.

According to the UN's humanitarian office, October saw the highest number of Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians and their property in the West Bank since tracking began in 2006. Over 260 attacks, averaging eight per day, were documented.

The historical backdrop includes Israel's capture of the West Bank, east Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war, with the Palestinians seeking these territories for a future independent state. (AP) RD RD

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