It has been 164 days since Oct. 7, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust; and the day life changed for Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of two boys from Plainview, Long Island.
The Neutras' eldest son, Omer, 22, was kidnapped that day by Hamas.
The Neutras visited the state Capitol in Albany on Monday with state Assemblymember Nily Rozic to remind leaders that there are still several Americans being held hostage.
“The holiday of Passover is coming soon, and that holiday symbolizes freedom. We are hoping that by Passover we’re going to have Omer with us and we can celebrate together,” Ronen Neutra told Capital Tonight. “It’s been far too long.”
Since Oct. 7, health officials say more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 70,000 wounded. The U.S. is currently negotiating a ceasefire to allow for Hamas to release the remaining hostages, and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza.