Orna and Ronen Neutra, whose son Omer remains a hostage in Gaza, said Friday that calls for a cease-fire in Gaza are “more urgent than ever” following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
“I think what we’ve heard for the past year is that Sinwar was a big obstacle to a [cease-fire] deal and that the fact that he’s no longer alive and he’s no longer in the way opens an opportunity, you know, for renewed negotiations,” Orna Neutra told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas.
Their son, 23-year-old Israeli American soldier Omer Neutra, was taken in October 2023. He’s one of the remaining 101 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody.
“It’s been way too long. This has been going on for over a year. Our son just celebrated a second birthday in captivity this past Monday,” she said.
When the parents first heard the news of Sinwar’s passing, which was confirmed by the militant group, their initial reactions were that of shock.
“Wow, this is a breakthrough,” Orna explained. “This has, you know, potential for good, but also potential for a lot of chaos.”
Hezbollah has vowed revenge for Sinwar’s death, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear the war is far from over.
Netanyahu said he wants Israel to maintain long-term control over Gaza and added that any Hamas member who helps with hostage rescue and turns their weapons in will be offered amnesty.
In Iran, Sinwar’s death has strengthened the spirit of resistance, the country’s United Nations team said. President Biden has also reiterated that the fighting must stop soon.
The Neutras are hopeful that hostages won’t be killed in retribution for Sinwar’s death.
“We still believe that the hostages alive have a huge value for the people that are holding them, and we just want to pray that our leaders, both here and in Israel, will act swiftly,” Ronen Neutra said.
NewsNation’s Tom Dempsey contributed to this report.
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