Keeping hope alive, families share stories about loved ones abducted in the attack on Israel

Keeping hope alive is getting harder for the families of the roughly 200 people who were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants.

Keeping hope alive is getting harder for the families of the roughly 200 people who were taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel by Hamas militants.

Nearly two weeks after their loved ones were abducted, family members are left struggling with thoughts of what they might be enduring and how to explain to young children what happened to their parents.

Here are some of their stories.

Omer Neutra

A small forest of candles melted into the chocolate icing of a birthday cake in New York's Long Island last week, but the guest of honor wasn't there.

Omer Neutra, an Israeli soldier, turned 22 seven days after Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Israeli officials told his parents that Hamas took Neutra and his unit hostage, Orna and Ronen Neutra said in a telephone interview. They were told he was seen on video footage released by Hamas.

At their home in the U.S. on Oct. 14, the family took a break from doing what they can to secure Omer's release by celebrating his birthday. They did not blow out the candle flames, because, they said, Omer wasn't there to do so.