Israeli man killed in West Bank drive-by shooting attack
Victim identified as Raziel Shevach, 35, a father of six from a nearby outpost; IDF launches manhunt for terrorists
An Israeli man was fatally shot on Tuesday night near Nablus in the northern West Bank in a terror attack.
Rabbi Raziel Shevach, 35, died of his injuries at a Kfar Saba hospital after receiving initial treatment by medics at the scene of the attack, the Havat Gilad Junction.
The father of six came under fire in his car while driving past the junction, the army said.
Medics said he suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body and his condition deteriorated as he was taken to the hospital.
Shevach was a resident of the nearby Havat Gilad outpost, neighbors said. He was a rabbi in a yeshiva and a mohel by profession, according to reports.
Reports said Shevach — who was also a volunteer medic — had alerted security forces, telling them he had been shot from a passing Palestinian car.
He is survived by his wife, four daughters, and two sons. His oldest child is 11 years old and the youngest is eight months, according to a local official.
His wife earlier on Tuesday evening told the Ynet news site that he “called me, and said, ‘I’ve been shot, call an ambulance.’ I’m still shocked and horrified at how easily they gun us down. We’re on our way to the hospital, we don’t know his condition. I want to ask everyone to pray for him.”
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the attack and said soldiers were searching the area for the shooters.
Jewish Home MK Betzalel Smotrich said he was minutes away from the attack and stopped his vehicle to offer first aid to the victim.
“A few cars ahead of me, on the Gilad route, a terrible terror attack with a serious outcome,” said Smotrich in a statement. “We stopped to administer first aid and am now on my way home. This is an intolerable situation of a subhuman who came sow destruction.”
He urged Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman to instruct the IDF to respond forcefully, saying the situation “must end.”
Judah Ari Gross and Jacob Magid contributed to this report.
