21 june 2015
'You were a man of benevolence and truth, your kindness led to your death,' says terror victim's sister at his funeral; 'Instead of dealing with unnecessary culture wars, we should be united against our enemies,' says Lod mayor.
Netanel Hadad, who was wounded in a shooting attack over the weekend that claimed the life of his friend Danny Gonen, recounted the horrible incident on Sunday morning. "I was fighting for Danny's life," he said.
Hadad and Gonen wanted to go swimming at a spring near the Dolev settlement in the Binyamin region of the West Bank on Friday, but after getting lost on the way, the two drove back onto the main road. "We went down to the spring on foot and realized we were losing our way, so we went back to the car," the 25-year-old Lod resident said. "Danny and I don't carry weapons but our other friend (who was supposed to join them) did. We spoke to a security guard asking if there was any security in the area. He said there wasn't, but that there were Israelis who went down to the spring with weapons.
"We got to the parking area with the car, wanted to go to the spring, saw a few suspicious vehicles, looked at the spring and saw there were only Arabs there, so we turned around," he continued.
While driving away, Hadad said, their vehicle was surrounded by several other cars. "When we got to the junction, someone walked up to us on foot, wanted to talk to us. Danny was driving and I was sitting next to him," he said. "We opened the window and he smiled and asked about the water in the spring. He said 'thank you' and we continued on our way. He kept walking and two seconds later called us back.
We stopped again, and he started shooting – first at Danny and then at me. He went to the front of the car and kept shooting. While this was happening, I called our other friend and told him we were being shot at," Hadad continued. Gonen was critically wounded, and Hadad tried to save him. "I opened his belt, gave him CPR, and realized the situation was not good.
I ran to the junction to make sure the terrorist wasn't coming back and directed the third friend to us. "A minute later two other cars belonging to Arabs passed by. One of the drivers stopped and got out of the car. I told him I didn't know what to do. I realized it could be another terrorist and then his friends called him to come back. He realized this was a terror attack, and ran.
"I went back to Danny, took off his shirt and created an arterial tourniquet. I called Magen David Adom and asked them to tell me how to do CPR, and it didn't work."
Hadad said he felt "fear and pressure and adrenaline" during the attack. "You don't think. I was fighting for Danny's life." He went on to say that his fight now, was to keep on living.
The shooter remains at large, while the IDF concluded its sweeps through the area, questioning locals in nearby villages of Ein Kinya and Dayr Ibzi. The investigation into the attack was passed on to the Shin Bet.
A primary inspection of the victim's vehicle shows that the assailant fired at least 10 rounds, four of which hit the car, and ran away. Shin Bet investigators collected 9mm shell casings found near the vehicle, which suggests the shooter fired from point-blank range. The casings were passed on to forensics. Additionally, the investigators questioned hikers who where in the area prior to the attack.
Hadad, who was light-to-moderately wounded in the attack, asked to leave the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan where he was hospitalized to attend his friend's funeral on Saturday night.
Some thousand people - family members, friends, acquaintances and other Israelis who didn't know Gonen but felt a duty to accompany him to his final resting place - attended his funeral at the Lod cemetery. Among those present at the funeral were Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely.
Dvorah Gonen, Danny's mother, eulogized her son at the funeral: "Danny, my dear, beloved son. It is inconceivable that we are standing here now, talking about you in the past tense. You were a source of great pride, your brothers' and sisters' backbone. You were a devoted son, and, when necessary, a friend, and you were with me through everything.
"You lived your life as a free Jew in his country. You loved the country and you loved the truth. You espoused the truth and that's how you lived. Love of the land was a supreme value for you. You also loved those who lived in the land. You loved to hike. Alas, you were murdered while hiking in the land you loved. I love you Danny," she said in tears, leaving not a dry eye around.
"Dear and so beloved brother. Our backbone. We can not believe it," Danny's sister Ruth said. "We are in a nightmare and we miss you already. Without you we don't see a future. How will mother go on without you? You were my role model."
She spoke of his good heart and how he helped everyone: "You were a man of benevolence and truth, your kindness led to your death."
Gonen's friends hugged each other and cried for several long minutes. Danny's uncle Yisrael Moore said before the funeral: "This is real pain. The boy gave everything to the state and loved his family and all mankind. We have only good things to remember him by. His father died five years ago and since then he stepped into his shoes and educated and looked after his siblings. He was the family's backbone. He just went on a hike and was murdered in cold blood."
Lod's Mayor Yair Revivo also attended the funeral, "This is a dark Shabbat for Israel and the city of Lod. I appeal to the defense minister, who recently decided to ease the Palestinians' conditions. They fooled us against. It cannot be that our children can't hike in our country when celebrating their holy days. Two months ago we erected a monument to terror victimes near Danny's house. Now Dvorah will see her son's name engraved there."
Earlier, the mayor said that "Instead of dealing with unnecessary culture wars, we should be united against our enemies who rise up to destroy us, some of them have only one culture - that of murder and violence."
He announced that scholarship awards ceremonies in Lod will be named after Danny Gonen.
Netanel Hadad, who was wounded in a shooting attack over the weekend that claimed the life of his friend Danny Gonen, recounted the horrible incident on Sunday morning. "I was fighting for Danny's life," he said.
Hadad and Gonen wanted to go swimming at a spring near the Dolev settlement in the Binyamin region of the West Bank on Friday, but after getting lost on the way, the two drove back onto the main road. "We went down to the spring on foot and realized we were losing our way, so we went back to the car," the 25-year-old Lod resident said. "Danny and I don't carry weapons but our other friend (who was supposed to join them) did. We spoke to a security guard asking if there was any security in the area. He said there wasn't, but that there were Israelis who went down to the spring with weapons.
"We got to the parking area with the car, wanted to go to the spring, saw a few suspicious vehicles, looked at the spring and saw there were only Arabs there, so we turned around," he continued.
While driving away, Hadad said, their vehicle was surrounded by several other cars. "When we got to the junction, someone walked up to us on foot, wanted to talk to us. Danny was driving and I was sitting next to him," he said. "We opened the window and he smiled and asked about the water in the spring. He said 'thank you' and we continued on our way. He kept walking and two seconds later called us back.
We stopped again, and he started shooting – first at Danny and then at me. He went to the front of the car and kept shooting. While this was happening, I called our other friend and told him we were being shot at," Hadad continued. Gonen was critically wounded, and Hadad tried to save him. "I opened his belt, gave him CPR, and realized the situation was not good.
I ran to the junction to make sure the terrorist wasn't coming back and directed the third friend to us. "A minute later two other cars belonging to Arabs passed by. One of the drivers stopped and got out of the car. I told him I didn't know what to do. I realized it could be another terrorist and then his friends called him to come back. He realized this was a terror attack, and ran.
"I went back to Danny, took off his shirt and created an arterial tourniquet. I called Magen David Adom and asked them to tell me how to do CPR, and it didn't work."
Hadad said he felt "fear and pressure and adrenaline" during the attack. "You don't think. I was fighting for Danny's life." He went on to say that his fight now, was to keep on living.
The shooter remains at large, while the IDF concluded its sweeps through the area, questioning locals in nearby villages of Ein Kinya and Dayr Ibzi. The investigation into the attack was passed on to the Shin Bet.
A primary inspection of the victim's vehicle shows that the assailant fired at least 10 rounds, four of which hit the car, and ran away. Shin Bet investigators collected 9mm shell casings found near the vehicle, which suggests the shooter fired from point-blank range. The casings were passed on to forensics. Additionally, the investigators questioned hikers who where in the area prior to the attack.
Hadad, who was light-to-moderately wounded in the attack, asked to leave the Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan where he was hospitalized to attend his friend's funeral on Saturday night.
Some thousand people - family members, friends, acquaintances and other Israelis who didn't know Gonen but felt a duty to accompany him to his final resting place - attended his funeral at the Lod cemetery. Among those present at the funeral were Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely.
Dvorah Gonen, Danny's mother, eulogized her son at the funeral: "Danny, my dear, beloved son. It is inconceivable that we are standing here now, talking about you in the past tense. You were a source of great pride, your brothers' and sisters' backbone. You were a devoted son, and, when necessary, a friend, and you were with me through everything.
"You lived your life as a free Jew in his country. You loved the country and you loved the truth. You espoused the truth and that's how you lived. Love of the land was a supreme value for you. You also loved those who lived in the land. You loved to hike. Alas, you were murdered while hiking in the land you loved. I love you Danny," she said in tears, leaving not a dry eye around.
"Dear and so beloved brother. Our backbone. We can not believe it," Danny's sister Ruth said. "We are in a nightmare and we miss you already. Without you we don't see a future. How will mother go on without you? You were my role model."
She spoke of his good heart and how he helped everyone: "You were a man of benevolence and truth, your kindness led to your death."
Gonen's friends hugged each other and cried for several long minutes. Danny's uncle Yisrael Moore said before the funeral: "This is real pain. The boy gave everything to the state and loved his family and all mankind. We have only good things to remember him by. His father died five years ago and since then he stepped into his shoes and educated and looked after his siblings. He was the family's backbone. He just went on a hike and was murdered in cold blood."
Lod's Mayor Yair Revivo also attended the funeral, "This is a dark Shabbat for Israel and the city of Lod. I appeal to the defense minister, who recently decided to ease the Palestinians' conditions. They fooled us against. It cannot be that our children can't hike in our country when celebrating their holy days. Two months ago we erected a monument to terror victimes near Danny's house. Now Dvorah will see her son's name engraved there."
Earlier, the mayor said that "Instead of dealing with unnecessary culture wars, we should be united against our enemies who rise up to destroy us, some of them have only one culture - that of murder and violence."
He announced that scholarship awards ceremonies in Lod will be named after Danny Gonen.
20 june 2015
IDF finishes the last of its major manhunt operations in villages surrounding site of Friday's terrorist attack; investigation passed to Shin Bet; several leads being pursued.
The day after a deadly terrorist attack near the settlement of Dolev in the West Bank, which claimed the life of Danny Gonen, IDF forces have finished their searches in nearby Palestinian villages with no conclusive findings. The center of the operations was focused on scanning the area, and questioning locals from the villages of Kinya and Dayr Ibzi, which are adjacent to the site of the attack. The Army has reopened the access roads leading to the villages. The focus of the investigation will now shift to the intelligence realm, and will be led by Shin Bet investigators.
A primary inspection of the victim's vehicle shows that the assailant fired at least 10 rounds, four of which hit the car, and ran away. Shin Bet investigators collected 9mm shell casings, which where found near the vehicle, which suggests the shooter fired from point blank range. The casings have been passed on to forensics. Additionally, the investigators had questioned hikers who where in the area prior to the attack.
The defense establishment is not expected to take punitive action against the Palestinian population, due to the free movement in the area, and easing of restrictions for Ramadan, which are meant to continue.
Yesterday, an initial investigation of the attack showed that around 4pm, Gonen and his friend finished swimming in a spring, located in a mountainous area between the settlement of Dolev and the Palestinian village of Dayr Ibzi. They drove back toward the main road, and where flagged down by a Palestinian on a nearby dirt road. The man seems to have asked for help, and when the two stopped their car, the man asked "is there water in the spring." He proceeded to immediately shoot them from point blank range, and run away.
After the attack, large forces of IDF troops began amassing at the scene, and immediately began conducting sweeps and raids in the local villages. At this point, the search effort has become invisible, as was the case in operation "Brother's Keeper" last year when operations moved from the field to the offices of intelligence officers.
"Danny was the best kid in the world. A flower. He was the family's support column," Gonen's uncle said yesterday. Gonen is survived by his mother, and was the eldest of 5 brothers. A source told Ynet Saturday that Gonen's mother donated his corneas, which can help save someone's sight. They where only harvested after they where found suitable for donation, and will be transplanted in the coming days.
An investigation of the scene led the IDF to believe the attacker acted as a 'lone wolf', without the support or instruction of one of the terror organizations. This was contrasted however by a statement from a cell claiming to be related to Hamas' military wing, which took responsibility for the attack. The name of the cell is "The Marwan Kawasme and Amar Abu Isa cell", the names of the two men responsible for kidnapping the 3 teens in Gush Etzion last year.
In the statement they released, the group said the attack was carried out after a long period of observation at the site, and that one of the groups members waited for the car to approach and shot them upon confirming they where Israeli. The statement continued to say that the group's members returned home safely.
Three weeks ago, the same cell claimed responsibility for throwing an explosive device at a group of soldiers near the village of Silwad, near Ramallah. The group's statement stated that the attack yesterday was part of a wave of attacks in response to 'Israel's crimes', and in reaction to the killing of Palestinians, the most recent of which was Ezzedine Ghora from the Jenin refugee camp (a Hamas member).
The official Hamas response "praised" the attack, however did not claim responsibility: "We and all our people respect the pure hands which focus on resistance, and aim the rounds towards the occupation, despite all the challenges in the West Bank. Israel's crimes won't go without reaction from the resistance."
The day after a deadly terrorist attack near the settlement of Dolev in the West Bank, which claimed the life of Danny Gonen, IDF forces have finished their searches in nearby Palestinian villages with no conclusive findings. The center of the operations was focused on scanning the area, and questioning locals from the villages of Kinya and Dayr Ibzi, which are adjacent to the site of the attack. The Army has reopened the access roads leading to the villages. The focus of the investigation will now shift to the intelligence realm, and will be led by Shin Bet investigators.
A primary inspection of the victim's vehicle shows that the assailant fired at least 10 rounds, four of which hit the car, and ran away. Shin Bet investigators collected 9mm shell casings, which where found near the vehicle, which suggests the shooter fired from point blank range. The casings have been passed on to forensics. Additionally, the investigators had questioned hikers who where in the area prior to the attack.
The defense establishment is not expected to take punitive action against the Palestinian population, due to the free movement in the area, and easing of restrictions for Ramadan, which are meant to continue.
Yesterday, an initial investigation of the attack showed that around 4pm, Gonen and his friend finished swimming in a spring, located in a mountainous area between the settlement of Dolev and the Palestinian village of Dayr Ibzi. They drove back toward the main road, and where flagged down by a Palestinian on a nearby dirt road. The man seems to have asked for help, and when the two stopped their car, the man asked "is there water in the spring." He proceeded to immediately shoot them from point blank range, and run away.
After the attack, large forces of IDF troops began amassing at the scene, and immediately began conducting sweeps and raids in the local villages. At this point, the search effort has become invisible, as was the case in operation "Brother's Keeper" last year when operations moved from the field to the offices of intelligence officers.
"Danny was the best kid in the world. A flower. He was the family's support column," Gonen's uncle said yesterday. Gonen is survived by his mother, and was the eldest of 5 brothers. A source told Ynet Saturday that Gonen's mother donated his corneas, which can help save someone's sight. They where only harvested after they where found suitable for donation, and will be transplanted in the coming days.
An investigation of the scene led the IDF to believe the attacker acted as a 'lone wolf', without the support or instruction of one of the terror organizations. This was contrasted however by a statement from a cell claiming to be related to Hamas' military wing, which took responsibility for the attack. The name of the cell is "The Marwan Kawasme and Amar Abu Isa cell", the names of the two men responsible for kidnapping the 3 teens in Gush Etzion last year.
In the statement they released, the group said the attack was carried out after a long period of observation at the site, and that one of the groups members waited for the car to approach and shot them upon confirming they where Israeli. The statement continued to say that the group's members returned home safely.
Three weeks ago, the same cell claimed responsibility for throwing an explosive device at a group of soldiers near the village of Silwad, near Ramallah. The group's statement stated that the attack yesterday was part of a wave of attacks in response to 'Israel's crimes', and in reaction to the killing of Palestinians, the most recent of which was Ezzedine Ghora from the Jenin refugee camp (a Hamas member).
The official Hamas response "praised" the attack, however did not claim responsibility: "We and all our people respect the pure hands which focus on resistance, and aim the rounds towards the occupation, despite all the challenges in the West Bank. Israel's crimes won't go without reaction from the resistance."
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has claimed responsibility for the shooting attack on Jewish settlers aboard a car near the illegal settlement of Dolev, west of Ramallah.
"Al-Qassam Brigades, the groups of martyrs Marwan al-Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisha, declares that they have carried out the operation today (Friday), which led to the killing of one Zionist settler and wounded another," a communique released by the Brigades said.
According to the announcement, the shooting happened at point-blank range during a well-prepared ambush.
The Brigades said the operation was carried out in retaliation to Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinians in the West Bank and its recent killing of citizens.
Israeli media sources claimed that one settler was killed and another wounded in the attack, which happened on Friday afternoon at Ein Buvin spring, close to the settlement of Dolev in Ramallah.
Hamas: Ramallah operation heroic, unique
Hamas Movement welcomed the shooting attack near Dolev settlement built on Palestinian lands west of Ramallah, considering it heroic and unique.
On Friday, a Palestinian opened fire at an Israeli vehicle near the settlement of Dolev which led to the killing of one Israeli settler and wounded three others.
"We view with the utmost respect and appreciation those pure hands who held on to the resistance and turned their fire toward the occupier despite all difficulties and challenges in West Bank", Hamas spokesman Houssam Badran said.
"Israel and its supporters delude themselves if they think the crimes against our people will continue without a response from the resistance," he added.
The Movement warned the occupation of continuing its attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian prisoners, stressing its total adherence to the resistance option.
"Al-Qassam Brigades, the groups of martyrs Marwan al-Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisha, declares that they have carried out the operation today (Friday), which led to the killing of one Zionist settler and wounded another," a communique released by the Brigades said.
According to the announcement, the shooting happened at point-blank range during a well-prepared ambush.
The Brigades said the operation was carried out in retaliation to Israel's ongoing crimes against the Palestinians in the West Bank and its recent killing of citizens.
Israeli media sources claimed that one settler was killed and another wounded in the attack, which happened on Friday afternoon at Ein Buvin spring, close to the settlement of Dolev in Ramallah.
Hamas: Ramallah operation heroic, unique
Hamas Movement welcomed the shooting attack near Dolev settlement built on Palestinian lands west of Ramallah, considering it heroic and unique.
On Friday, a Palestinian opened fire at an Israeli vehicle near the settlement of Dolev which led to the killing of one Israeli settler and wounded three others.
"We view with the utmost respect and appreciation those pure hands who held on to the resistance and turned their fire toward the occupier despite all difficulties and challenges in West Bank", Hamas spokesman Houssam Badran said.
"Israel and its supporters delude themselves if they think the crimes against our people will continue without a response from the resistance," he added.
The Movement warned the occupation of continuing its attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian prisoners, stressing its total adherence to the resistance option.
President: Arab leadership 'bears responsibility', must condemn attack; Netanyahu: Attempts to harm us are continuing; UN envoy condemns attack.
Just hours after 25-year-old Lod resident Danny Gonen was killed by gunfire at point-blank range near the settlement of Dolev in the West Bank, President Reuven Rivlin addressed the incident calling it, "Another step in the quiet and serious escalation in acts of terrorism we have witnessed in recent months."
Gonen was declared deceased Friday upon reaching Tel HaShomer Hospital by helicopter with critical wounds. He had been traveling with a friend when a Palestinian supposedly signaled for their car to stop as if to ask for help. He then pulled out a hand gun and fired at Gonen at point-blank range. The second Israeli was also wounded, but was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
"We will not accept a situation in which a young hiker has his life taken from him in the land of Israel because he is Jewish," said Rivlin.
The president then called on local Arabs to make their voices heard against the attack saying, "There should be heard clear and decisive condemnation of such criminal acts from both the Arab leadership, which bears responsibility for actions of terrorism emanating from its territory, as well as from the leaders of the Arab community in Israel."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Rivlin's warnings in a Facebook page saying, "We can't let the relative calm achieved thanks to many counterterrorism (efforts) mislead us - the attempts to harm us are continuing always."
Initial investigations into the incident indicated that those responsible acted alone without backing from any organizations. A group claiming connections to Hamas in the West Bank claimed responsibility for the attack however, in the late hours of Friday night.
"The signs in the field show that the shooting... was a terror attack," wrote Netanyahu. "We will continue fighting against them (terror attacks) will all of the tools at our disposal."
Hamas in Gaza welcomed what they called the "excellent and heroic attack" without claiming responsibility for ordering, organizing, or carrying it out in any way.
The UN envoy to the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov also condemned the attack and urged restraint to in order to maintain peace in the region.
Aharon Gonen, the deceased's uncle, said that Danny "was the best kid in the world. He was the mainstay of the family." The rest of the Gonen family, as well as his friend who was lightly wounded, were unavailable for comment after the beginning of Shabbat. Israel saw a wave of so-called "lone wolf" attacks last year by Palestinians using guns, knives and vehicles in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the West Bank.
Police say it's difficult to stop such attacks because assailants act on their own, without working through established militant groups. The violence has largely tapered off, but two attacks last month wounded several Israelis, including two paramilitary police officers.
Just hours after 25-year-old Lod resident Danny Gonen was killed by gunfire at point-blank range near the settlement of Dolev in the West Bank, President Reuven Rivlin addressed the incident calling it, "Another step in the quiet and serious escalation in acts of terrorism we have witnessed in recent months."
Gonen was declared deceased Friday upon reaching Tel HaShomer Hospital by helicopter with critical wounds. He had been traveling with a friend when a Palestinian supposedly signaled for their car to stop as if to ask for help. He then pulled out a hand gun and fired at Gonen at point-blank range. The second Israeli was also wounded, but was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
"We will not accept a situation in which a young hiker has his life taken from him in the land of Israel because he is Jewish," said Rivlin.
The president then called on local Arabs to make their voices heard against the attack saying, "There should be heard clear and decisive condemnation of such criminal acts from both the Arab leadership, which bears responsibility for actions of terrorism emanating from its territory, as well as from the leaders of the Arab community in Israel."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Rivlin's warnings in a Facebook page saying, "We can't let the relative calm achieved thanks to many counterterrorism (efforts) mislead us - the attempts to harm us are continuing always."
Initial investigations into the incident indicated that those responsible acted alone without backing from any organizations. A group claiming connections to Hamas in the West Bank claimed responsibility for the attack however, in the late hours of Friday night.
"The signs in the field show that the shooting... was a terror attack," wrote Netanyahu. "We will continue fighting against them (terror attacks) will all of the tools at our disposal."
Hamas in Gaza welcomed what they called the "excellent and heroic attack" without claiming responsibility for ordering, organizing, or carrying it out in any way.
The UN envoy to the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov also condemned the attack and urged restraint to in order to maintain peace in the region.
Aharon Gonen, the deceased's uncle, said that Danny "was the best kid in the world. He was the mainstay of the family." The rest of the Gonen family, as well as his friend who was lightly wounded, were unavailable for comment after the beginning of Shabbat. Israel saw a wave of so-called "lone wolf" attacks last year by Palestinians using guns, knives and vehicles in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the West Bank.
Police say it's difficult to stop such attacks because assailants act on their own, without working through established militant groups. The violence has largely tapered off, but two attacks last month wounded several Israelis, including two paramilitary police officers.
Following the deadly shooting of an Israeli man near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, Friday, soldiers surrounded several Palestinian villages, and conducted an extensive military search in the entire area.
The soldiers invaded various Palestinian communities, including Ras Karkar, al-Janiya and Deir Ebzea’, after surrounding them, and conducted searches.
They also installed roadblocks, searched dozens of Palestinian cars and investigated the ID cards of the passengers while interrogating them.
The Israeli army said it is searching for a car, allegedly used by the attacker, who managed to flee the scene after the shooting.
Soldiers were also deployed on nearby hills, Palestinian orchards and bypass unpaved roads, while a military helicopter hovered overhead, scouting the entire area.
The two Israelis were hiking near Ramallah, when a Palestinian gunman reportedly stopped them to ask about a nearby spring, before shooting them
An Israeli army spokesperson said the Palestinian opened fire at the two Israelis, using a 9mm handgun.
The army airlifted the two to the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv, where one of them succumbed to his wounds, due to a gunshot injury to the chest. The other Israeli suffered a moderate injury.
According to Israeli Ynet News, the two are 25 years of age, and that the slain man has been identified as Danny Gonen from Lod City.
Nickolay Mladenov, Special UN Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process, denounced the attack, and called on both sides to exercise utmost restrained, to avoid further escalation.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 13 Palestinians have been killed by the army since the beginning of this year, including two this month, and that an average of 39 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli fire each week.
The data provided by OCHA does not include Palestinians injured during attacks carried out by Israeli settlers in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.
It also said that an average of two Israelis have been injured, each week, in Palestinian attacks since the beginning of this year.
The soldiers invaded various Palestinian communities, including Ras Karkar, al-Janiya and Deir Ebzea’, after surrounding them, and conducted searches.
They also installed roadblocks, searched dozens of Palestinian cars and investigated the ID cards of the passengers while interrogating them.
The Israeli army said it is searching for a car, allegedly used by the attacker, who managed to flee the scene after the shooting.
Soldiers were also deployed on nearby hills, Palestinian orchards and bypass unpaved roads, while a military helicopter hovered overhead, scouting the entire area.
The two Israelis were hiking near Ramallah, when a Palestinian gunman reportedly stopped them to ask about a nearby spring, before shooting them
An Israeli army spokesperson said the Palestinian opened fire at the two Israelis, using a 9mm handgun.
The army airlifted the two to the Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv, where one of them succumbed to his wounds, due to a gunshot injury to the chest. The other Israeli suffered a moderate injury.
According to Israeli Ynet News, the two are 25 years of age, and that the slain man has been identified as Danny Gonen from Lod City.
Nickolay Mladenov, Special UN Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process, denounced the attack, and called on both sides to exercise utmost restrained, to avoid further escalation.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 13 Palestinians have been killed by the army since the beginning of this year, including two this month, and that an average of 39 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli fire each week.
The data provided by OCHA does not include Palestinians injured during attacks carried out by Israeli settlers in different parts of the occupied West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.
It also said that an average of two Israelis have been injured, each week, in Palestinian attacks since the beginning of this year.
19 june 2015
PM addresses West Bank shooting in Facebook post; President Rivlin: Arab leadership 'bears responsibility', must condemn attack.
Just hours after 25-year-old Lod resident Danny Gonen was killed by gunfire at point-blank range near the settlement of Dolev in the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident on his Facebook page saying that, "We can't let the relative calm achieved thanks to many counterterrorism (efforts) mislead us - the attempts to harm us are continuing always."
Gonen was declared deceased Friday upon reaching Tel HaShomer Hospital by helicopter with critical wounds. He had been traveling with a friend when a Palestinian supposedly signaled for their car to stop as if to ask for help. He then pulled out a hand gun and fired at Gonen at point-blank range. The second Israeli was also wounded, but was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
"The signs in the field show that the shooting... was a terror attack," wrote Netanyahu. "We will continue fighting against them (terror attacks) will all of the tools at our disposal."
Initial investigations into the incident indicated that those responsible acted alone without backing from any organizations.
President Reuven Rivlin also addressed the attack on Friday, calling it, "another step in the quiet and serious escalation in acts of terrorism we have witnessed in recent months. We will not accept a situation in which a young hiker has his life taken from him in the land of Israel because he is Jewish."
Rivlin then called on local Arabs to make their voices heard against the attack saying, "There should be heard clear and decisive condemnation
of such criminal acts from both the Arab leadership, which bears responsibility for actions of terrorism emanating from its territory, as well as from the leaders of the Arab community in Israel."
Hamas however, welcomed what they called the "excellent and heroic attack" without claiming responsibility for ordering, organizing, or carrying it out in any way. The UN envoy to the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov also condemned the attack and urged restraint to in order to maintain peace in the region.
Aharon Gonen, the deceased's uncle, said that Danny "was the best kid in the world. He was the mainstay of the family." The rest of the Gonen family, as well as his friend who was lightly wounded, were unavailable for comment after the beginning of Shabbat. Israel saw a wave of so-called "lone wolf" attacks last year by Palestinians using guns, knives and vehicles in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the West Bank.
Police say it's difficult to stop such attacks because assailants act on their own, without working through established militant groups. The violence has largely tapered off, but two attacks last month wounded several Israelis, including two paramilitary police officers.
Just hours after 25-year-old Lod resident Danny Gonen was killed by gunfire at point-blank range near the settlement of Dolev in the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident on his Facebook page saying that, "We can't let the relative calm achieved thanks to many counterterrorism (efforts) mislead us - the attempts to harm us are continuing always."
Gonen was declared deceased Friday upon reaching Tel HaShomer Hospital by helicopter with critical wounds. He had been traveling with a friend when a Palestinian supposedly signaled for their car to stop as if to ask for help. He then pulled out a hand gun and fired at Gonen at point-blank range. The second Israeli was also wounded, but was expected to be released from the hospital soon.
"The signs in the field show that the shooting... was a terror attack," wrote Netanyahu. "We will continue fighting against them (terror attacks) will all of the tools at our disposal."
Initial investigations into the incident indicated that those responsible acted alone without backing from any organizations.
President Reuven Rivlin also addressed the attack on Friday, calling it, "another step in the quiet and serious escalation in acts of terrorism we have witnessed in recent months. We will not accept a situation in which a young hiker has his life taken from him in the land of Israel because he is Jewish."
Rivlin then called on local Arabs to make their voices heard against the attack saying, "There should be heard clear and decisive condemnation
of such criminal acts from both the Arab leadership, which bears responsibility for actions of terrorism emanating from its territory, as well as from the leaders of the Arab community in Israel."
Hamas however, welcomed what they called the "excellent and heroic attack" without claiming responsibility for ordering, organizing, or carrying it out in any way. The UN envoy to the Middle East Nickolay Mladenov also condemned the attack and urged restraint to in order to maintain peace in the region.
Aharon Gonen, the deceased's uncle, said that Danny "was the best kid in the world. He was the mainstay of the family." The rest of the Gonen family, as well as his friend who was lightly wounded, were unavailable for comment after the beginning of Shabbat. Israel saw a wave of so-called "lone wolf" attacks last year by Palestinians using guns, knives and vehicles in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and the West Bank.
Police say it's difficult to stop such attacks because assailants act on their own, without working through established militant groups. The violence has largely tapered off, but two attacks last month wounded several Israelis, including two paramilitary police officers.
Danny Gonen 25
Two Israeli victims were traveling near the settlement of Dolev when a Palestinian fired at them and their vehicle at point-blank range; Hamas welcomes attack but doesn't claim responsibility.
Danny Gonen (25), a resident of Lod, was officially proclaimed dead at Tel HaShomer Hospital on Friday after being critically wounded in a shooting attack along a dirt road near the Israeli settlement of Dolev in the West Bank.
Gonen and another 25-year-old Israelis were traveling in the area inside a vehicle when a Palestinian signaled for them to stop as if to ask for help before firing on them from point-blank range. Magen David Adom and a large number of IDF troops were rushed to the area which was cordoned off as searches began for a suspect.
Magen David Adom confirmed that both of the victims were evacuated for medical care at Tel HaShomer hospital, one in critical condition by helicopter and one by ambulance.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the exact circumstances of the shooting are unclear but that police suspect it was a "terror attack."
Hamas welcomed the attack, but fell short of taking responsibility for organizing or carrying out the shooting.
"We welcome the excellent and heroic attack," said the group from Gaza. "Israel's crimes will not pass without a reaction of resistance."
Initial investigations into the incident indicated that those responsible for the attack acted alone without backing from any organization.
Gonen's uncle called the deceased "the best kid in the world" and said that he is survived by his mother and four brothers.
The attack occurred on the first Friday of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan but prayers at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque which police said were attended by about 80,000 worshippers, passed without incident.
Two Border Police officers - a man and a woman - were wounded last month in a vehicular terror attack in Jerusalem, on the ascent to the Mount of Olives. If proved to have been nationalistically motivated, Friday's attack would be the first on Israelis in the last month.
Ramallah: Palestinian Kills One, Wounds Another Israeli
An Israeli was killed and another wounded after a Palestinian opened fire on them near the illegal settlement of Dolov, in the West Bank district of Ramallah, Friday, the Israeli army said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said, according to Ma'an News Agency, that, at around 4:15 p.m., the two Israelis were driving to go on a hike in the occupied West Bank when a Palestinian called on them to pullover, appearing to want to ask about a nearby spring.
He then opened fire on them using a 9mm handgun before fleeing the scene, she said. Both Israelis were evacuated by military helicopter to Tel HaShomer hospital in Tel Aviv, where one of them "succumbed to his wounds."
A hospital spokeswoman said that the dead man had arrived without any vital signs, having been shot in the chest.
She said the other Israeli had been shot in the hand and was "not seriously injured".
Israeli news site Ynet said they were both 25 years old and identified the dead man as Danny Gonen, a resident of the Israeli city of Lod, though neither police nor hospital spokespeople were able to confirm his identity.
Earlier reports incorrectly suggested they were settlers.
An Israeli manhunt is underway for the Palestinian attacker.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, condemned the shooting and called on "all sides to exercise the utmost restraint, to maintain calm and promptly bring the perpetrators to justice."
West Bank settlements are illegal under international law, and Israelis have been attacked previously in and near them as well as in annexed East Jerusalem.
There have been a number of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli military and civilians over the last year, largely in the wake of Israeli activities across the occupied Palestinian Territories, including last summer's offensive on Gaza which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead.
An average of two Israeli civilians per week have sustained injuries by Palestinians so far in 2015, with one Israeli killed, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In the same time period, an average of 39 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces per week and 13 killed, two of whom were killed since the beginning of this month.
The number does not include incidents of injury by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank.
Two Israeli victims were traveling near the settlement of Dolev when a Palestinian fired at them and their vehicle at point-blank range; Hamas welcomes attack but doesn't claim responsibility.
Danny Gonen (25), a resident of Lod, was officially proclaimed dead at Tel HaShomer Hospital on Friday after being critically wounded in a shooting attack along a dirt road near the Israeli settlement of Dolev in the West Bank.
Gonen and another 25-year-old Israelis were traveling in the area inside a vehicle when a Palestinian signaled for them to stop as if to ask for help before firing on them from point-blank range. Magen David Adom and a large number of IDF troops were rushed to the area which was cordoned off as searches began for a suspect.
Magen David Adom confirmed that both of the victims were evacuated for medical care at Tel HaShomer hospital, one in critical condition by helicopter and one by ambulance.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says the exact circumstances of the shooting are unclear but that police suspect it was a "terror attack."
Hamas welcomed the attack, but fell short of taking responsibility for organizing or carrying out the shooting.
"We welcome the excellent and heroic attack," said the group from Gaza. "Israel's crimes will not pass without a reaction of resistance."
Initial investigations into the incident indicated that those responsible for the attack acted alone without backing from any organization.
Gonen's uncle called the deceased "the best kid in the world" and said that he is survived by his mother and four brothers.
The attack occurred on the first Friday of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan but prayers at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque which police said were attended by about 80,000 worshippers, passed without incident.
Two Border Police officers - a man and a woman - were wounded last month in a vehicular terror attack in Jerusalem, on the ascent to the Mount of Olives. If proved to have been nationalistically motivated, Friday's attack would be the first on Israelis in the last month.
Ramallah: Palestinian Kills One, Wounds Another Israeli
An Israeli was killed and another wounded after a Palestinian opened fire on them near the illegal settlement of Dolov, in the West Bank district of Ramallah, Friday, the Israeli army said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said, according to Ma'an News Agency, that, at around 4:15 p.m., the two Israelis were driving to go on a hike in the occupied West Bank when a Palestinian called on them to pullover, appearing to want to ask about a nearby spring.
He then opened fire on them using a 9mm handgun before fleeing the scene, she said. Both Israelis were evacuated by military helicopter to Tel HaShomer hospital in Tel Aviv, where one of them "succumbed to his wounds."
A hospital spokeswoman said that the dead man had arrived without any vital signs, having been shot in the chest.
She said the other Israeli had been shot in the hand and was "not seriously injured".
Israeli news site Ynet said they were both 25 years old and identified the dead man as Danny Gonen, a resident of the Israeli city of Lod, though neither police nor hospital spokespeople were able to confirm his identity.
Earlier reports incorrectly suggested they were settlers.
An Israeli manhunt is underway for the Palestinian attacker.
The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, condemned the shooting and called on "all sides to exercise the utmost restraint, to maintain calm and promptly bring the perpetrators to justice."
West Bank settlements are illegal under international law, and Israelis have been attacked previously in and near them as well as in annexed East Jerusalem.
There have been a number of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli military and civilians over the last year, largely in the wake of Israeli activities across the occupied Palestinian Territories, including last summer's offensive on Gaza which left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead.
An average of two Israeli civilians per week have sustained injuries by Palestinians so far in 2015, with one Israeli killed, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In the same time period, an average of 39 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces per week and 13 killed, two of whom were killed since the beginning of this month.
The number does not include incidents of injury by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank.
16 may 2015
Hasiba Shahala, 27, was the first victim of the terrorists who carried out a massacre in Ma'alot in 1974.
It happened 41 years ago: The terror cell that infiltrated Israel and carried out the terrible Ma'alot massacre also murdered a Christian Arab woman on its way to carrying out the attack in the north of the country. And from Tuesday, for the first time since she was killed, her name will appear on the plaque in memory of the victims.
On May 12, 1974, a terror cell that had crossed the border from Lebanon into Israel at night encountered a van carrying workers who were on their way home to their village of Fassuta – and opened fire on the vehicle. The attack resulted in the death of Fassuta resident Hasiba Shahala, 27, a Christian Arab; the driver and eight other passengers were wounded.
The terrorists then proceeded to Ma'alot, where they broke into the home of Yosef and Fortuna Cohen and murdered the couple and their four-year-old son, Eli. From there, the cell headed for the Netiv Meir Elementary School where students and teachers on a school trip from Safed were lodged.
The ensuing two-day hostage situation ended when IDF special forces from Sayeret Matkal stormed the building. The incident culminated in the death of 22 students and teachers and an IDF soldier, Shmuel-Silvan Zerah, who wasn't a part of the IDF assault force.
It happened 41 years ago: The terror cell that infiltrated Israel and carried out the terrible Ma'alot massacre also murdered a Christian Arab woman on its way to carrying out the attack in the north of the country. And from Tuesday, for the first time since she was killed, her name will appear on the plaque in memory of the victims.
On May 12, 1974, a terror cell that had crossed the border from Lebanon into Israel at night encountered a van carrying workers who were on their way home to their village of Fassuta – and opened fire on the vehicle. The attack resulted in the death of Fassuta resident Hasiba Shahala, 27, a Christian Arab; the driver and eight other passengers were wounded.
The terrorists then proceeded to Ma'alot, where they broke into the home of Yosef and Fortuna Cohen and murdered the couple and their four-year-old son, Eli. From there, the cell headed for the Netiv Meir Elementary School where students and teachers on a school trip from Safed were lodged.
The ensuing two-day hostage situation ended when IDF special forces from Sayeret Matkal stormed the building. The incident culminated in the death of 22 students and teachers and an IDF soldier, Shmuel-Silvan Zerah, who wasn't a part of the IDF assault force.
The memorial that includes Hasiba
In the wake of the massacre, the school established a memorial to the victims that displayed the names of the students, teachers, the Cohen family and the IDF soldier – but Hasiba's name was nowhere to be seen.
Recently, however, a memorial to the massacre, to be unveiled on Tuesday evening, was erected in Safed; and the city's mayor, Ilan Shohat, decided to add Hasiba's name to the list of victims for the first time.
"We are very excited," Hasiba's sister said on Monday. "Finally, after the lengthy injustice, my sister's name will also be commemorated – and in this way, she won't be forgotten. Hasiba was beautiful and kind and worked in agriculture and textiles to help support the family."
In the wake of the massacre, the school established a memorial to the victims that displayed the names of the students, teachers, the Cohen family and the IDF soldier – but Hasiba's name was nowhere to be seen.
Recently, however, a memorial to the massacre, to be unveiled on Tuesday evening, was erected in Safed; and the city's mayor, Ilan Shohat, decided to add Hasiba's name to the list of victims for the first time.
"We are very excited," Hasiba's sister said on Monday. "Finally, after the lengthy injustice, my sister's name will also be commemorated – and in this way, she won't be forgotten. Hasiba was beautiful and kind and worked in agriculture and textiles to help support the family."
21 apr 2015
Khaled Kutina, who rammed his car into 2 Israelis killing one and seriously wounding another, admitted to committing attack as revenge for his 'miserable life'.
Khaled Kutina confessed to deliberately ramming his car at two Israelis waiting for the bus in Jerusalem last week, killing a man and wounding a woman, it was cleared for publication on Tuesday.
The investigation found that several hours before the attack, Kutina drove his family from 'Anata to East Jerusalem. At the exit from 'Anata, the car was held at a checkpoint, which Kutina said made him angry. He decided to commit the attack after dropping off his family. In his interrogation, 37-year-old Kutina admitted he was driving along Highway 1 looking for Jews to harm as revenge for his "miserable life."
The investigation found that several hours before the attack, Kutina drove his family from 'Anata to East Jerusalem. At the exit from 'Anata, the car was held at a checkpoint, which Kutina said made him angry. He decided to commit the attack after dropping off his family. In his interrogation, 37-year-old Kutina admitted he was driving along Highway 1 looking for Jews to harm as revenge for his "miserable life."
Jerusalem Police and Border Police forces that arrived at the scene apprehended him. Shalom Yohai Cherki, who was critically wounded, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The second victim, Shira Klein remains in serious condition at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem's Ein Karem.
Kutina's lawyer, Nasser Massis, said at a hearing on Thursday that the incident in Jerusalem was an accident that could've been caused due to mechanical failure in the car.
In his initial interrogation, Kutina told police investigators that he felt like he was "being chased by an Egged bus" which is why he had no choice but to veer off his lane. Later on he admitted to lying and said he gave his first version so police would think he was mentally ill. During the investigation he was sent to two psychiatric evaluations and was found fit to stand trial.
At Kutina's remand extension hearing on Thursday, a police representative said that after questioning the suspect and his relatives, it was revealed he was hospitalized at the Jerusalem Mental Health Center in the past. The initial investigation also found that Kutina has been taking anti-depressants for the past eight years.
According to the psychiatrist, the suspect was lucid, present and rejects having suicidal thoughts. The psychiatrist went on to say Kutina understands the different roles in the court as well as what he was arrested for, noting there is no evidence of a severe mental state that would require hospitalization.
While the judge extended Kutina's remand until Friday based on this psychiatric opinion, she recommended the prison doctor monitor him out of concern Kutina would hurt himself.
Police said Kutina is married and known as a very religious man who worked as a cleaner at a mosque in 'Anata. He used to send his friends text messages that were religious in nature, praising Prophet Muhammad.
Ynet reported Monday that a year and a half ago, the Health Ministry tried to suspend Kutina's driver's license pending the examination of his mental state. However, the move fell between the cracks due to the lack of coordination with the Transportation Ministry - which might have not received the Health Ministry's request at all.
He was also convicted in 2012 of intentionally causing damage to property.
Khaled Kutina confessed to deliberately ramming his car at two Israelis waiting for the bus in Jerusalem last week, killing a man and wounding a woman, it was cleared for publication on Tuesday.
The investigation found that several hours before the attack, Kutina drove his family from 'Anata to East Jerusalem. At the exit from 'Anata, the car was held at a checkpoint, which Kutina said made him angry. He decided to commit the attack after dropping off his family. In his interrogation, 37-year-old Kutina admitted he was driving along Highway 1 looking for Jews to harm as revenge for his "miserable life."
The investigation found that several hours before the attack, Kutina drove his family from 'Anata to East Jerusalem. At the exit from 'Anata, the car was held at a checkpoint, which Kutina said made him angry. He decided to commit the attack after dropping off his family. In his interrogation, 37-year-old Kutina admitted he was driving along Highway 1 looking for Jews to harm as revenge for his "miserable life."
Jerusalem Police and Border Police forces that arrived at the scene apprehended him. Shalom Yohai Cherki, who was critically wounded, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The second victim, Shira Klein remains in serious condition at the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem's Ein Karem.
Kutina's lawyer, Nasser Massis, said at a hearing on Thursday that the incident in Jerusalem was an accident that could've been caused due to mechanical failure in the car.
In his initial interrogation, Kutina told police investigators that he felt like he was "being chased by an Egged bus" which is why he had no choice but to veer off his lane. Later on he admitted to lying and said he gave his first version so police would think he was mentally ill. During the investigation he was sent to two psychiatric evaluations and was found fit to stand trial.
At Kutina's remand extension hearing on Thursday, a police representative said that after questioning the suspect and his relatives, it was revealed he was hospitalized at the Jerusalem Mental Health Center in the past. The initial investigation also found that Kutina has been taking anti-depressants for the past eight years.
According to the psychiatrist, the suspect was lucid, present and rejects having suicidal thoughts. The psychiatrist went on to say Kutina understands the different roles in the court as well as what he was arrested for, noting there is no evidence of a severe mental state that would require hospitalization.
While the judge extended Kutina's remand until Friday based on this psychiatric opinion, she recommended the prison doctor monitor him out of concern Kutina would hurt himself.
Police said Kutina is married and known as a very religious man who worked as a cleaner at a mosque in 'Anata. He used to send his friends text messages that were religious in nature, praising Prophet Muhammad.
Ynet reported Monday that a year and a half ago, the Health Ministry tried to suspend Kutina's driver's license pending the examination of his mental state. However, the move fell between the cracks due to the lack of coordination with the Transportation Ministry - which might have not received the Health Ministry's request at all.
He was also convicted in 2012 of intentionally causing damage to property.
18 apr 2015
Khaled Kotina
Danino says investigation concluded Khaled Kotina committed a 'horrible attack' which claimed the life of Shalom Yohai Cherki.
A Palestinian driver deliberately rammed his car into a Jerusalem bus stop this week and killed an Israeli man in a "horrible attack", police chief Yohanan Danino said on Saturday.
"Today we can say that it is a horrible attack," Danino said in a statement after an investigation into Wednesday's incident. He ruled out initial suggestions that it had been an accident.
Shalom Yohai Cherki, 26, and Shira Klein, 20, were seriously injured in the attack on the bus stop in east Jerusalem. Cherki, the son of prominent rabbi Ouri Cherki who is well known in the city's francophone community, died of his injuries on Thursday morning and was buried later that day.
The driver, 37-year-old Khaled Kotina from east Jerusalem, who was also hurt, was arrested and interrogated by police. Israel has been shaken by a spate of deadly attacks by Palestinians in the Holy City since last October. In March, five Israelis were injured when a Palestinian drove into a group of pedestrians before getting out of the car to try to stab people.
An Israeli border guard was killed and several people were injured in November when a Palestinian drove his vehicle into people waiting at a stop on the city's light railway system. And in a similar attack, two people including a three-month Israeli-American baby were killed in October.
Tensions have been running high in Jerusalem since a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza last July and August.
Danino says investigation concluded Khaled Kotina committed a 'horrible attack' which claimed the life of Shalom Yohai Cherki.
A Palestinian driver deliberately rammed his car into a Jerusalem bus stop this week and killed an Israeli man in a "horrible attack", police chief Yohanan Danino said on Saturday.
"Today we can say that it is a horrible attack," Danino said in a statement after an investigation into Wednesday's incident. He ruled out initial suggestions that it had been an accident.
Shalom Yohai Cherki, 26, and Shira Klein, 20, were seriously injured in the attack on the bus stop in east Jerusalem. Cherki, the son of prominent rabbi Ouri Cherki who is well known in the city's francophone community, died of his injuries on Thursday morning and was buried later that day.
The driver, 37-year-old Khaled Kotina from east Jerusalem, who was also hurt, was arrested and interrogated by police. Israel has been shaken by a spate of deadly attacks by Palestinians in the Holy City since last October. In March, five Israelis were injured when a Palestinian drove into a group of pedestrians before getting out of the car to try to stab people.
An Israeli border guard was killed and several people were injured in November when a Palestinian drove his vehicle into people waiting at a stop on the city's light railway system. And in a similar attack, two people including a three-month Israeli-American baby were killed in October.
Tensions have been running high in Jerusalem since a 50-day war between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza last July and August.
17 apr 2015
The family of Khaled Zuheir Qutteineh denied the claims of the occupation police and the Israeli media that the accident Khaled had was deliberate on a terrorist background.
The occupation forces along with Israeli Intelligence raided and searched Qutteineh family house in the neighborhood of “Dahyet Al-Salam” and confiscated a computer and a cell phone.
The Intelligence interrogated Khaled’s wife and called Khaled’s parents and his brother Mohammad for interrogation on Thursday night.
Khaled’s wife said that her husband left the house on Wednesday night to drop off his parents to their house in the Old City concurrently with the heavy rainfall the city of Jerusalem witnesses.
She added: “What happened with Khaled is a normal accident because of the bad weather conditions. I only found out about this morning from my mother-in-law and I was surprised especially because my husband doesn’t have any political interests and he does not even watch the news.”
Qutteineh got married last November and they are expecting their first baby in the new few months.
She explained that her husband has been working in cleaning the mosques in the neighborhood of Ras Shihadeh in Anata for several months.
The accident occurred on Wednesday night after Khaled lost control of his vehicle in the area of Mount Scopus in Street Number 1 and seriously injured two Israeli; note that one of them was announced deal on Thursday night.
The Israeli police said that they are still investigating the incident and added in a statement they issued on Thursday afternoon: “with the initial investigations and data collection, the police suggest that the incident was most likely carried out on national background suspicious and the police are still investigating the incident and considering all options.”
The occupation forces along with Israeli Intelligence raided and searched Qutteineh family house in the neighborhood of “Dahyet Al-Salam” and confiscated a computer and a cell phone.
The Intelligence interrogated Khaled’s wife and called Khaled’s parents and his brother Mohammad for interrogation on Thursday night.
Khaled’s wife said that her husband left the house on Wednesday night to drop off his parents to their house in the Old City concurrently with the heavy rainfall the city of Jerusalem witnesses.
She added: “What happened with Khaled is a normal accident because of the bad weather conditions. I only found out about this morning from my mother-in-law and I was surprised especially because my husband doesn’t have any political interests and he does not even watch the news.”
Qutteineh got married last November and they are expecting their first baby in the new few months.
She explained that her husband has been working in cleaning the mosques in the neighborhood of Ras Shihadeh in Anata for several months.
The accident occurred on Wednesday night after Khaled lost control of his vehicle in the area of Mount Scopus in Street Number 1 and seriously injured two Israeli; note that one of them was announced deal on Thursday night.
The Israeli police said that they are still investigating the incident and added in a statement they issued on Thursday afternoon: “with the initial investigations and data collection, the police suggest that the incident was most likely carried out on national background suspicious and the police are still investigating the incident and considering all options.”
Head of Israel's police said car ramming incident in Jerusalem in which an Israeli was killed was probably a terror attack.
The head of Israel's police said Thursday evening that a Jerusalem incident in which a Palestinian man swerved his car into Shalom Yohai Sharki and his friend Shira Klein was most likely a terror attack and not a traffic accident as initially suspected.
"According to initial suspicions, this is a terror attack," Police Commissioner Danino told Army Radio hours after Sharki succumbed to the wounds he sustained in Wednesday's incident in Jerusalem. Sharki is the son of a prominent religious-Zionist rabbi and the brother of a prominent Israeli journalist.
The incident took place on the eve of Israel's Holocaust Memorial Day events. "We view such events with utmost severity, especially when it takes place on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day."
Sharki and Klien were seriously injured by the vehicle Wednesday night at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem as they waited for a bus before being hit in what is now being investigated as yet another incident of vehicular terror. At the time, police said the driver "swerved from his lane and hit two civilians standing at the station". Sharki was laid to rest Thursday, with his father, Rabbi Uri Sharki, eulogizing him as a hero who attempted to save his friend from what he called a "terrorist".
"We have no doubt this a terror attack – this boy was sitting in a bus station with a young girl and the terrorist rammed himself into them and killed him because he was Jewish," the rabbi said. His brother, Yair, echoed the claims saying "when I saw the pictures from the scene, I had no doubt this was a terror attack."
Over 2,000 people attended his funeral, which his partner, Klein, was unable to attend as she lays in a hospital bed, still in serious condition from the attack. The driver, Khaled Kutina, 37, is currently being investigated by the police and defense establishment. At face value, he fits the profile of a 'lone wolf' attacker, and joins a long list of similar incident in Jerusalem, in which a Palestinian or Israeli Arab with a car ploughs into a crowd, usually at a bus or light rail station.
The latest such attack took place at the beginning of May, when a Palestinian rammed his car into group of military police officers, wounding five. The attack took place outside a Border Police base in northern Jerusalem on Shimon HaTzadik street, which was also the site of a November 5 hit and run terror attack that killed one border police offer and injured 13 people. The area has seen no less than 5 terror attacks in the past year.
The head of Israel's police said Thursday evening that a Jerusalem incident in which a Palestinian man swerved his car into Shalom Yohai Sharki and his friend Shira Klein was most likely a terror attack and not a traffic accident as initially suspected.
"According to initial suspicions, this is a terror attack," Police Commissioner Danino told Army Radio hours after Sharki succumbed to the wounds he sustained in Wednesday's incident in Jerusalem. Sharki is the son of a prominent religious-Zionist rabbi and the brother of a prominent Israeli journalist.
The incident took place on the eve of Israel's Holocaust Memorial Day events. "We view such events with utmost severity, especially when it takes place on the eve of Holocaust Memorial Day."
Sharki and Klien were seriously injured by the vehicle Wednesday night at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem as they waited for a bus before being hit in what is now being investigated as yet another incident of vehicular terror. At the time, police said the driver "swerved from his lane and hit two civilians standing at the station". Sharki was laid to rest Thursday, with his father, Rabbi Uri Sharki, eulogizing him as a hero who attempted to save his friend from what he called a "terrorist".
"We have no doubt this a terror attack – this boy was sitting in a bus station with a young girl and the terrorist rammed himself into them and killed him because he was Jewish," the rabbi said. His brother, Yair, echoed the claims saying "when I saw the pictures from the scene, I had no doubt this was a terror attack."
Over 2,000 people attended his funeral, which his partner, Klein, was unable to attend as she lays in a hospital bed, still in serious condition from the attack. The driver, Khaled Kutina, 37, is currently being investigated by the police and defense establishment. At face value, he fits the profile of a 'lone wolf' attacker, and joins a long list of similar incident in Jerusalem, in which a Palestinian or Israeli Arab with a car ploughs into a crowd, usually at a bus or light rail station.
The latest such attack took place at the beginning of May, when a Palestinian rammed his car into group of military police officers, wounding five. The attack took place outside a Border Police base in northern Jerusalem on Shimon HaTzadik street, which was also the site of a November 5 hit and run terror attack that killed one border police offer and injured 13 people. The area has seen no less than 5 terror attacks in the past year.
16 apr 2015
Shalom Yohai Sharki 25
Two pedestrians waiting for bus struck by car; Arab driver lightly injured; police investigating possibility of deliberate attack.
Shalom Yohai Sharki, 25, who was struck by a vehicle in Jerusalem Wednesday night, succumbed to his wounds on Thursday morning. A woman also hurt in the incident remains in very series condition.
Sharko and the woman were seriously injured by the vehicle Wednesday night at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem as they waited for a bus. Magen David Adom rescue personnel treated the victims and the driver, an Arab man from north of Jerusalem, who was said to be in light condition.
It remains unclear whether the incident was an accident or a deliberate attack.
The initial assumption was that it was a car accident, but police are now investigating the driver.
Police said the driver "swerved from his lane and hit two civilians standing at the station".
Police: Suspicions grow that Jerusalem crash was terror
Initial findings, questioning of driver raise suspicion vehicular incident, in which one died and another seriously hurt, was a deliberate attack.
Jerusalem Police said Thursday there is a growing suspicion that terrorism was behind a vehicular incident in Jerusalem on Wednesday night, which left one dead and another gravely wounded.
Shalom Yohai Sharki and another were hit Wednesday night by a 37-year-old Arab resident of 'Anata while waiting at a bus stop at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem.
Both victims were gravely wounded and Sharki succumbed to his wounds early Thursday morning, while the second victim, a woman in her early 20s, remains in serious condition.
The driver, who was lightly hurt in the crash, was arrested and questioned by the Jerusalem Police and the Shin Bet.
While investigation is still ongoing, the suspect's interrogation and initial findings raise the suspicion the crash was a terror attack.
Two pedestrians waiting for bus struck by car; Arab driver lightly injured; police investigating possibility of deliberate attack.
Shalom Yohai Sharki, 25, who was struck by a vehicle in Jerusalem Wednesday night, succumbed to his wounds on Thursday morning. A woman also hurt in the incident remains in very series condition.
Sharko and the woman were seriously injured by the vehicle Wednesday night at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem as they waited for a bus. Magen David Adom rescue personnel treated the victims and the driver, an Arab man from north of Jerusalem, who was said to be in light condition.
It remains unclear whether the incident was an accident or a deliberate attack.
The initial assumption was that it was a car accident, but police are now investigating the driver.
Police said the driver "swerved from his lane and hit two civilians standing at the station".
Police: Suspicions grow that Jerusalem crash was terror
Initial findings, questioning of driver raise suspicion vehicular incident, in which one died and another seriously hurt, was a deliberate attack.
Jerusalem Police said Thursday there is a growing suspicion that terrorism was behind a vehicular incident in Jerusalem on Wednesday night, which left one dead and another gravely wounded.
Shalom Yohai Sharki and another were hit Wednesday night by a 37-year-old Arab resident of 'Anata while waiting at a bus stop at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem.
Both victims were gravely wounded and Sharki succumbed to his wounds early Thursday morning, while the second victim, a woman in her early 20s, remains in serious condition.
The driver, who was lightly hurt in the crash, was arrested and questioned by the Jerusalem Police and the Shin Bet.
While investigation is still ongoing, the suspect's interrogation and initial findings raise the suspicion the crash was a terror attack.
17 feb 2015
Adele Biton with her little brother in a photo taken a few days ago
Two years after she was critically hurt in a stone-throwing attack, Adele Biton dies after succumbing to pneumonia-related complications
Adele Biton, the four-year-old girl who was critically wounded in a terror attack two years ago, died Tuesday evening of lung infection-related complications.
The attack occurred on March 14, 2013 near Ariel when a truck driver suddenly hit the brakes after his vehicle was struck by stones hurled by Palestinians. The car behind him, carrying Adele, her two sisters and their mother Adva Biton, lost control and collided with the truck. The two other sisters, Avigail and Naama - aged four and five - sustained moderate injuries.
When recounting the night of the accident, Adva noted that immediately after the crash she had looked at the back seat and "saw Adele with her head dropped to the side. I put out my hand to make sure the head was attached and to open the airway. She had a very slow pulse."
Following the attack, Adele was hospitalized at the Schneider Children's Medical Center and was later transferred to the Beit Levinstein rehabilitation center in Ra'anana.
In September last year, Adele returned to her home in the northern West Bank settlement of Yakir after a prolonged period of treatment.
On Saturday night, Adele began to feel ill and suffered from a cough. Her parents called an ambulance on Sunday night, and she was taken to the Schneider Medical Center, where she was admitted to the pediatric ward. Her condition deteriorated Monday evening and she was admitted to intensive care, where she was in critical condition.
Her mother Adva said earlier this morning: "I pray we shall witness another miracle, as we saw last time. The doctors are doing their best, fighting for her. There is no doubt (her condition) is part of a progression of neurological injuries, from which she suffers, which complicates her ability to cope with medical issues. Every little thing puts her under great stress."
Adele spent the last few months at home. "Every day she was home was a day of joy," her grandmother Rachel said earlier Tuesday. "She is a lovely girl who is cooperative, does whatever she is asked. She is with us, and is not detached. Sometimes, over the phone, I even kiss her and talk to over, and she responds with her own kind of signals.
"I ask the people of Israel to continue praying. This girl will end up being a walking miracle."
Two years after she was critically hurt in a stone-throwing attack, Adele Biton dies after succumbing to pneumonia-related complications
Adele Biton, the four-year-old girl who was critically wounded in a terror attack two years ago, died Tuesday evening of lung infection-related complications.
The attack occurred on March 14, 2013 near Ariel when a truck driver suddenly hit the brakes after his vehicle was struck by stones hurled by Palestinians. The car behind him, carrying Adele, her two sisters and their mother Adva Biton, lost control and collided with the truck. The two other sisters, Avigail and Naama - aged four and five - sustained moderate injuries.
When recounting the night of the accident, Adva noted that immediately after the crash she had looked at the back seat and "saw Adele with her head dropped to the side. I put out my hand to make sure the head was attached and to open the airway. She had a very slow pulse."
Following the attack, Adele was hospitalized at the Schneider Children's Medical Center and was later transferred to the Beit Levinstein rehabilitation center in Ra'anana.
In September last year, Adele returned to her home in the northern West Bank settlement of Yakir after a prolonged period of treatment.
On Saturday night, Adele began to feel ill and suffered from a cough. Her parents called an ambulance on Sunday night, and she was taken to the Schneider Medical Center, where she was admitted to the pediatric ward. Her condition deteriorated Monday evening and she was admitted to intensive care, where she was in critical condition.
Her mother Adva said earlier this morning: "I pray we shall witness another miracle, as we saw last time. The doctors are doing their best, fighting for her. There is no doubt (her condition) is part of a progression of neurological injuries, from which she suffers, which complicates her ability to cope with medical issues. Every little thing puts her under great stress."
Adele spent the last few months at home. "Every day she was home was a day of joy," her grandmother Rachel said earlier Tuesday. "She is a lovely girl who is cooperative, does whatever she is asked. She is with us, and is not detached. Sometimes, over the phone, I even kiss her and talk to over, and she responds with her own kind of signals.
"I ask the people of Israel to continue praying. This girl will end up being a walking miracle."
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