Parents of American held captive in Gaza hope Biden and Trump will work together on hostage deal

Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Omer Neutra, an Israeli-American citizen being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, are spending this Thanksgiving with friends in Long Island, New York, but the holiday is overshadowed by the absence of their son. For the second year in a row, their family table is incomplete, with Omer still in captivity. As they reflect on their situation, the Neutras hold out hope that this year could be the last Thanksgiving without their son.

The Neutras’ hopes have been buoyed by the recent US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, but they remain frustrated that the ceasefire has not been linked with the release of hostages in Gaza. The Neutras have urged both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to work together, highlighting that the urgency of the hostage situation cannot wait for the new administration to take office in January. “We have two presidents. We’re calling on them to work together,” said Orna Neutra.

While they acknowledge the importance of the ceasefire in Lebanon, the Neutras are disappointed that it did not include provisions for hostages. “We are concerned that the attention was diverted from Gaza to Lebanon, and it was a missed opportunity to secure the release of the hostages,” said Ronen Neutra. The Neutras have been in talks with US officials, and Biden’s team has indicated that the ceasefire could help isolate Hamas, potentially pushing them toward negotiations for the hostages’ release.

On Tuesday, Biden confirmed that the US would continue its efforts to secure a hostage deal, working with Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. National security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon could open up new possibilities for progress in Gaza, though he did not offer a timeline for when a deal might come to fruition.

Orna and Ronen Neutra are spending their second Thanksgiving without their son Omer. Omer is an American citizen and is trapped in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/s7rP2nvQgw

— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) November 28, 2024

The Neutras, along with other families of Americans held hostage by Hamas, have been advocating for their loved ones’ release for over a year. In July, the Neutras made a public appeal at the Republican National Convention. In addition to Omer, four other Americans are still believed to be held hostage in Gaza, and the bodies of three Americans remain in the region. The Neutras hope to meet with the Biden administration in the coming weeks to discuss the renewed efforts to bring the hostages home, though they have yet to speak with Trump or his team about their plans.

Ronen Neutra expressed his hopes that President Trump could seize the moment and help negotiate a deal, drawing a parallel to the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, when Iran released American hostages shortly after Ronald Reagan’s inauguration. “We are calling on President Trump to seize the moment and reach what we are calling a Reagan moment,” Neutra said.

As the anniversary of a previous hostage release approaches, the Neutras are increasingly hopeful. One year ago, the US helped broker a ceasefire and the release of over 100 hostages, including American Abigail Edan. “It’s been a year since the last release,” said Orna Neutra. “Use all your leverage. This is your moment.”

With the holiday season approaching, the Neutras are holding onto the hope that a breakthrough could come soon, especially as the first day of Hanukkah coincides with Christmas this year. “How wonderful it would be to have the hostages back by then,” Ronen Neutra reflected. “That should be the goal.”

As they continue their fight to bring Omer and the other hostages home, the Neutras’ message is clear: time is of the essence, and their hope for a resolution grows stronger with each passing day.

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