"It's our job to make sure that we achieve progress in the shortest time possible," an IDF official told Newsweek.

Neutra was born and raised in the United States, before he emigrated to Israel as a lone soldier and enlisted in the Armored Corps, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an advocacy group for those held captive and their families.

Neutra, 21, a New York native, was believed to have been captured alive when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.