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Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered flags on New York state buildings to be flown at half-staff on the day of the funeral services for Long Island native Omer Neutra. The 21-year-old resident of Plainview was confirmed by Israel's military to have been killed during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th last year. Until recently, it was believed that Neutra was being held hostage, a case that had been making national headlines over the past year.
According to PIX11, Governor Hochul stated that the horrific news "shakes all New Yorkers to our core." The Neutra family is expected to announce the timing of the funeral plans in the coming days.
The October 7th attack by Hamas on Israel was one of the deadliest attacks on Jewish people since the Holocaust. The attack resulted in the death of more than 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and the hostage-taking of approximately 240 people. NEWS10 reports that Governor Hochul has directed flags to be flown at half-staff and state landmarks to be lit yellow in solidarity with Israel.