Deadly Terror Attack: Father of Six Killed in West Bank Shooting Ahead of Yom Kippur

An Israeli father of six was killed Sunday in a shooting attack near the West Bank community of Neveh Tzuf, as he visited a natural spring with his eldest son to immerse ahead of Yom Kippur.

The victim was identified as Netanel Shakron, a resident of Alei Zahav in Samaria. He was critically wounded in the attack and evacuated to Rabin Medical Center–Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva, where doctors later pronounced him dead. Israeli media reported that Shakron was 36 years old.

According to the initial investigation, the gunman arrived by vehicle at the Ein Raya spring near Neveh Tzuf and opened fire at Israelis at the site. He then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

Israeli security forces launched a large-scale manhunt involving ground troops and aircraft. The Israel Defense Forces said a military tracker who was operating near the scene reached the area shortly after the shooting and fired at the attacker, wounding him before he escaped.

Several hours later, IDF special forces from the Duvdevan unit captured the suspect at a hospital in the Ramallah area, according to the military. The suspect was reportedly wounded during his escape.

Father of six

Shakron worked as an information-systems analyst at Hachshara Insurance Company. He is survived by his wife, Meirav, a lecturer at Ariel University, and their six children. Their eldest child is in 11th grade, while the youngest is four years old.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan visited the family and described Shakron as a humble and devoted family man.

“Netanel was a man of kindness, humble and loving, and a devoted family man,” Dagan said, according to local reports. He said the community would stand alongside Shakron's wife and children following the killing.

Second security incident in northern West Bank

Shortly after the shooting near Neveh Tzuf, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian motorist near the Ganim area in the northern West Bank after, according to the IDF, the driver attempted to ram soldiers.

Another person who was in the vehicle was detained. No Israeli soldiers were reported wounded.

Reuters reported that the Israeli military's account of the alleged attempted ramming could not be independently verified, and it was not immediately clear whether the two incidents were connected.

IDF chief visits scene

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir visited the scene of the shooting and held an operational assessment with Central Command officials, the Judea and Samaria Division commander, Israel Police and Shin Bet representatives.

“The IDF is on high alert, deployed and prepared with reinforced forces across all sectors, including during the fast,” Zamir said. “Our mission is clear and continues — to thwart terrorism, act decisively against every threat and protect the citizens of Israel.”

The IDF said additional security measures would be taken in the area, including efforts to identify and apprehend anyone who assisted the attacker. Zamir said the military's mission was not over and that forces would continue operating in the area.

The attack occurred hours before Yom Kippur, Judaism's holiest day, amid heightened security preparations throughout Israel and the West Bank.