As developments in Israel unfolded, New Yorkers remained trained Oct. 13 on the news that included the return of the remaining hostages taken by Hamas in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, the release by Israel of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and ongoing ceasefire deal negotiations.
The U.S.-brokered deal continued to unfold, with President Donald Trump addressing the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, and then heading to Egypt.
2 New Yorkers killed in captivity, remains not yet released
Many New Yorkers lauded the hostage release. But they demanded that the bodies of hostages killed in captivity also be returned.
Those include two young dual citizens with roots in New York who were serving in the Israeli armed services.
Omer Neutra, a U.S.-born Israeli military officer and New Yorker, grew up in Long Island and spent summers at Camp Ramah, a Jewish camp in the Nyacks. For more than a year, his family and loved ones had believed he was taken hostage. But in December 2024, it was confirmed Neutra had been killed during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. His body was held by Hamas. He was 21 at the time of his death.
Itay Chen, 19, a native New Yorker, was serving in southern Israel with the Israel Defense Forces. Israeli intelligence concluded in March 2024 that Itay had been killed by Hamas and his body was brought to Gaza and hidden.
Joy, tempered by loss and waiting
Rabbi Ami Hersh, who is director of Camp Ramah where Neutra was a camper and staffer, said Oct. 13 was a momentous day.
“We celebrate the miracle of the 20 living hostages to their families,” Hersh said. “And, we still have the remains of many hostages waiting to be brought home to their families. And everything else that still needs to be worked out.”
Orangetown Jewish Center planned a “They Are Home!” celebration at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 as the holiday of Shemini Atzeret approaches that evening.
“Today we have reason to celebrate and reason to hope,” OJC Rabbi Craig Scheff said. “Our joy, however, is tempered by the reality that families are still awaiting the return of their loved ones.”
Scheff reflected on Shemini Atzeret, a holiday that includes prayers for rain and the recitation of the Yizkor memorial prayer. “We celebrate with an underlying sense of angst knowing that we are not guaranteed rains in their season,” he said.” Two years to the day on the Hebrew calendar since the massacre of October 7, we will rejoice, reflect and remember. And we will not let go of the hope that peace will one day arrive.”
The next night, Oct. 14, marks Simchat Torah, a joyous celebration that marks a complete reading of the Torah and the start of a new Torah cycle.
Last year, the celebration was marred by reports of a fatal strike on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, said Ari Abramowitz, a Chabad rabbi and IDF veteran, who founded Nevut, an organization that helps American-Israeli soldiers adjust to life back in the U.S.
“Today, seeing the hostages released was of the greatest importance to them and to all of us that serve,” Abramowitz said in a statement. “We now have to dance with even more joy to continue their short lives.”
NY officials react to Israel hostage release
U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican and Israel backer, called Monday a “day of celebration across Israel, the United States, and around the world.”
“The release of every living hostage is a testament to the power of strength, unity, and diplomacy rooted in moral clarity,” said Lawler, whose district includes Rockland County, which has one of the largest Jewish populations, per capita, in the world, Putnam County and parts of Westchester and Dutchess.
Lawler thanked Trump and his team and he continued to demand the return of the bodies of 28 hostages “murdered by Hamas, including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul in an Oct. 13 statement thanked “the administration for its role in securing the hostages’ release.” Of the families of Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, she said, “My heart is with them today, and with the many others who are still awaiting the closure they deserve.”
Hochul expressed hope that the rest of the peace deal, including the return of deceased hostages’ bodies and aid flowing to Gaza, would be achieved and that “today marks the beginning of a new chapter of lasting peace and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
State Sen. Bill Weber, whose district includes Ramapo, Clarkstown, Orangetown and Haverstraw in Rockland County, lauded the deal brokered by Trump.
“I’m very pleased that 20 living Israeli hostages have been freed,” the Republican said. “May the bodies of 28 murdered hostages be returned so their families can begin to heal as well.”
This story has been updated with new information
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Israeli hostages’ release reverberates in Lower Hudson Valley, New York
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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