The latest terror attack against Israeli civilians occurred on Passover eve, killing a father of five, critically wounding his wife and lightly injuring a nine-year-old.
Police Chief Superintendent Baruch Mizrahi was the victim of a terror attack near Hebron on Passover eve. (Photo: Police Spokespersons Unit)
While Israelis and Jews the world over were preparing to celebrate Passover, a terror attack near Hebron claimed the life of Police Chief Superintendent Baruch Mizrahi, a 47-year-old father of five.
His wife is in critical condition at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek hospital. A nine-year-old son, lightly injured, was taken to Hadassah University Medical Center.
The family was traveling along Route 35 from their residence in the city of Modi’in to the Hebron region, where the woman’s family resides.
Police are still searching for the terrorist, who reportedly fled to the town of Idhna in the Palestinian-administered territories.
Terror Attack Near Hebron Specifically Targeted Civilians
“This tragic attack, killing an Israeli and wounding two others, is a horrific act of violence that specifically targeted civilians that were traveling on the main road,” stated IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner.
Police comb the area where a terror attack near Hebron claimed the life of a father of five. (Photo: IDF blog)
“The IDF immediately began a widespread search in order to apprehend the gunman and is now shifting its efforts to intelligence in pursuit of the perpetrator,” Lerner said. “The characteristic of terror originating in Judea and Samaria in recent years is that of individuals without a substantial infrastructure taking up arms and attacking Israelis. This reality impedes our capability to prevent these types of attacks before they occur.”
Although no terrorist organization has taken credit for the attack, Hamas and Islamic Jihad praised the shooting as a “heroic” act; the latter claimed the murder was a natural reaction to the “crimes of the [Israeli] occupation.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening slammed the Palestinian Authority for remaining silent, rather than condemning the act of terror.
Palestinian Incitement Responsible for Murder
“This criminal murder of a man who was driving with his family to a holiday dinner on the Festival of Freedom is a result of incitement, for which the Palestinian Authority is responsible,” Netanyahu asserted.
“The incitement continues in that until this moment, [PA leader Mahmoud Abbas] has not seen fit to condemn this revolting and atrocious act.”
“The Palestinian Authority, with Abu Mazen [Abbas) at its head, encourages and finances murderers of Jews with one hand, and with the other hand it extorts from Israel the release of its prisoners,” Economy Minister Naftali Bennett said.
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon declared:
Police search for suspects following terror attack near Hebron. (Photo: IDF blog)
“We will not rest until we get our hands on whoever planned and executed this attack. We will not tolerate terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens and will act with uncompromising determination against all those involved in planning or carrying out attacks.”
Mizrahi served in the IDF for 25 years in various positions, including operational, technological and as a lieutenant colonel in intelligence. In June 2011, he was inducted into the Israeli police force as a chief superintendent.
Author: Atara Beck, Staff Writer, United with Israel
Date: Apr. 15, 2014