Israeli teen injured in Istanbul terror attack ‘very happy to be back’
Rawa Mansour, 18, transfered to Meir Hospital for treatment; body of her friend, Lian Zaher Nasser, killed in the shooting, due in Israel Monday
An Israeli woman injured in a terror attack in a nightclub in Istanbul on Saturday arrived in Israel and was transferred to a local hospital for further treatment late on Sunday. At least 39 people were killed, including an Israeli teen, and over 65 people were injured in the shooting attack at the exclusive Reina nightclub where revelers were celebrating the New Year.
The woman, Rawa Mansour, was a friend of Lian Zaher Nasser, 19, who was killed in the shooting rampage on Saturday. Israel was working to bring back the body of the young woman. According to Israeli media reports, her remains were expected to arrive in Israel on Monday.
Nasser and Mansour were together at the club along with two other Israeli women, Dr. Ala’a Abdulahi, 27, and Ayia Ihsan Abdulahi, all from the city of Tira in central Israel.
Mansour landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Sunday evening, telling paramedics with Magen David Adom, for which she volunteers, that she was “very happy to be back in Israel” and was grateful for the treatment she was receiving. Mansour, who suffered injuries to her arm and leg, was taken to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba for further care.
Interior Minister Aryeh Deri said Sunday that his ministry was arranging the transfer of Nasser, also from Tira, back to Israel.
“Lian was killed in a serious terror attack and as a state we are obligated to help return her body to Israel,” Deri said, according to news site Ynet.
No funeral details have been set for Nasser.
Ala’a Abdulahi told Channel 2 that the gunman, said to have been dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, “shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’” as he opened fire and there was “complete chaos” in the club. She said she was lucky to escape with her life.
Nasser’s father Zaher told the Walla news website that he urged his daughter not to travel to Turkey, citing the uptick in terror attacks in the country.
The attack began at 1:15 a.m. Sunday (2215 GMT), just after hundreds of revelers had ushered in 2017 at the club in the Ortakoy district on the European side of the city.
Turkey launched a manhunt for the shooter.
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said Sunday: “The search for the terrorist continues. The police have started the necessary operations. I hope (the assailant) will be captured quickly, God willing.”
Agencies contributed to this report.
