Three Fallen Israeli Soldiers Returned From Gaza

The remains of three fallen Israeli soldiers held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, were returned to Israel late Sunday night, the IDF confirmed. The bodies of Col. Asaf Chamami, Capt. Omer Maxim Neutra, and Sgt. Oz Daniel were transferred through an Israeli border crossing at approximately 9:30 p.m. and brought to the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification.

According to the IDF Spokesperson, Chamami, who served as commander of the Southern Brigade in the Gaza Division, fell in battle defending Kibbutz Nirim on the morning of October 7th. His body was subsequently taken by Hamas terrorists into Gaza. “Asaf was among the first to arrive at the battle zones and the first to declare war,” the statement said. He was 40 years old and left behind a wife, three children, parents, and a brother.

Capt. Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, a lone soldier who immigrated from the United States, served as a platoon commander in the 7th Armored Brigade. He was killed defending communities along the Gaza border on October 7, and his body was abducted to Gaza. Sgt. First Class Oz Daniel, 19, fell in the same battle. Both were among the first IDF soldiers killed in defense of the southern communities when Hamas terrorists stormed the border.

At the handover ceremony on Sunday night, senior IDF officers paid tribute to the three fallen soldiers. The officers saluted as the flag-draped coffins were transferred into Israeli custody.

Following identification by the National Center for Forensic Medicine, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that “representatives of the IDF have informed the families of Chamami, Neutra, and Daniel that their loved ones have been returned to Israel and positively identified.” The statement expressed the government’s condolences and reaffirmed its commitment “to bring home all of Israel’s fallen and captive hostages for proper burial in their homeland.”

“The government and all branches of Israel’s national effort are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to bring every one of our hostages home,” the statement said. “Hamas must fulfill its obligations to the mediators and return them as part of the agreed process. We will not compromise on this, and we will not rest until every one of them is home. May their memories be blessed.”

As of Sunday night, eight hostage remains are still being held in Gaza: Hadar Goldin, Itay Chen, Menny Godard, Lior Rudayev, Dror Or, Ran Goyli, Joshua Lewitow Mulol, and Suttisak Rintalak. Six are Israeli citizens and two are foreign nationals.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One Sunday night, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that he had spoken with Neutra’s parents. “We got Neutra, from New York, from the United States, and I spoke to his parents,” he said. “They’re thrilled in one sense, but in another sense, obviously, not too great. We’re very happy to have done it. We got three bodies back today that they found, and we’re looking for the remainder.”

“We have mixed feelings, we had hoped for a different ending. There was a small glimmer of hope in me that Oz would return alive,” Merav Daniel, the mother of Staff Sgt. Oz Daniel, said on her son’s return.

In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in New York said that the Neutra family “can now bury Omer with the dignity he deserves.” The group added that his parents’ “courage and resolve have touched the hearts of countless people around the world.”

Omer’s father, Ronen Neutra, wrote early Monday morning that his son “is finally on Israeli soil,” quoting the verse from Jeremiah: “There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall return to their borders.”