Parents of 2 Americans demand return of bodies held by Gaza terror group

Two Americans remain among the deceased hostages taken by Hamas on Wednesday, as the Palestinian movement failed to meet the terms of President Trump’s peace plan.

She is a nineteen-year-old dual American-Israeli citizen Itai Chen He was initially believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, while serving along the Gaza border, but the Israeli military later declared him dead. His body is still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Captain Omar Neutra(21 years old), an American-Israeli citizen from New York, was killed in battle on the same day, and his body is still in captivity.

Trump strongly warns Hamas: If they do not lay down their weapons, we will disarm them

The Israeli military confirmed the killing of Omar Neutra, a 21-year-old American-Israeli who served as a platoon commander in the Armored Corps, on Monday. The Israeli army said he died on October 7. (IDF/X)

“This two-year emotional roller coaster has reached an all-time high,” Ronen Neutra, Omar Neutra’s father, said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

On Monday, Neutra met with Trump for an hour during the president’s visit to Israel.

Neutra said: “We have expressed our concern that no dead hostage remains in Gaza. We know that we are dealing with a terrorist organization that exploits every gray area in any deal. While the living hostages were returned as agreed, we are already witnessing violations.” “The president has assured us that he will do everything to bring our children home.”

Earlier Wednesday, Neutra and his wife only went to sleep at 3 a.m., after learning that the four bodies released by Hamas again did not include their son — and that one of them was not even a hostage.

Families of American hostages met with new SPEHA Director Adam Buehler. The families thanked President Trump and his administration for everything they did regarding the hostage crisis, including securing the release of additional hostages than detailed in the current hostage framework. Buehler expressed his commitment to the release of American hostages in Gaza. From left to right: Ronen Neutra, Jonathan Dekel Chen, Adi Alexander, Orna Neutra, Yael Alexander, Adam Buehler and Robbie Chen (Robbie Chen)

“I expect the United States to put strong pressure on mediators,” Neutra told Fox News Digital. He added: “We heard that Washington spoke directly with Hamas in Egypt, and we demand the full implementation of the agreement – or the dire consequences: stopping humanitarian aid, and stopping the movement of goods and people through the Rafah crossing.”

He continued: “We expect President Trump to ensure that the two American citizens still detained by Hamas – our son Omar and Itai Chin – are returned home for burial.” “After two years of fighting for this, we deserve closure — and our son deserves a proper burial in the land he loved and defended.”

Trump has released more than 70 American hostages in less than a year; Biden released about 70 in four years

Robbie Chen addressed the UN Security Council, calling for more action to repatriate the hostages from Gaza. Ruby’s son Itay is still being held captive in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. (Bianca Otero)

under Terms of agreementHamas was forced to return all 28 bodies, along with the 20 living prisoners who were released on Monday. However, the movement has so far handed over only seven bodies – four bodies on Monday and three more on Tuesday night – in clear violation of the agreement.

“There is a diplomatic effort to make sure the agreement is implemented,” said Robbie Chen, father of Itai Chen, the father of another American held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

He continued: “Hamas did not provide the majority of the hostages yesterday, and we, the families of the hostages, are of course very disappointed.” “Especially as an American citizen, I am disappointed that the United States was not able to return my son. We demand that today’s opportunity to release the remaining hostages not be wasted.”

Robbie Chen’s son, IDF Sergeant Itai Chen, was serving along the Gaza border when he was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7. (IDF)

“The United States and mediators should pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages, and take advantage of the agreed-upon elements — such as the release of Palestinian prisoners and the reopening of the Rafah crossing,” Chen added.

The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that one of the four bodies returned to Israel by Hamas late Tuesday did not belong to any of the identified hostages.

The Israeli army says the body handed over by Hamas does not match any hostages

Ronen and Orna Neutra, parents of Israeli-American citizen Omar Neutra who have been held hostage in Gaza since the October 7 attack by Hamas. (Reuters/Eduardo Munoz)

president Donald Trump He issued a sharp warning to Hamas on Tuesday, vowing that the United States would act if the terror group failed to lay down its weapons.

“They said they’re going to lay down their weapons, and if they don’t, we’re going to disarm them,” Trump told reporters at the White House during his meeting with Argentine President Javier Miley.

Professor Hagai Levin, head of the health team of the Forum for Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, described the psychological impact on families still waiting for news.

Hamas hands over 11 Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City, Gaza on November 27, 2023. (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“It has a tremendous psychological impact — families cannot move forward until there is certainty, a proper burial, and complete confidence as to the fate of their loved ones,” Levine told Fox News Digital.

He added: “This is why the return of all hostages – living and deceased – is critical for the families and the entire nation, to begin healing.”

Levin explained that the process of identifying and verifying the identity of the deceased hostages is taking place at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir in Tel Aviv.

He added: “I am in close contact with the institute’s employees.” “We have complete confidence in them. They use advanced technology and multiple methods of identification – including individual markings, unique tattoos, fingerprints, DNA comparison with previously obtained family samples, and full-body CT scans.”

He warned that the process may take time, citing previous cases such as this one Cherry Bibaswhose body Hamas initially replaced with that of a woman from Gaza before eventually returning her actual remains.

Hamas has not yet returned the bodies of American citizens Itai Chen (left) and Omar Neutra (right) to Israel. (Hostages and Families of Missing Persons Forum)

“Receiving the news is also a critical and emotional moment,” Levine continued. “It can bring a measure of comfort and closure, but it is also a very stressful time – and we are there to support the families. Those still waiting fear their loved ones will be forgotten. The mission will not be complete until everyone is returned to Israel.”

The Israeli Kan 11 channel reported on Tuesday, citing Qatari media, that Egyptian teams had begun assisting in efforts to locate the remains of the deceased hostages in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Forum for Families of Hostages and Missing Persons sent a letter to American envoy to the Middle East, VitkovExpressing their gratitude.

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“We are extremely grateful and happy to see 20 of our loved ones back home, finally reunited with the families who have fought tirelessly for their return for so long. However, what we feared is now happening before our eyes. Only four of the deceased hostages are returning home today,” the letter read.

He added: “We must ensure that all remaining hostages return to their homes. We cannot rest, and we know that you will not rest until the last hostage is returned.”