Two weeks after the deadly terrorist attack near Bruchin that claimed the life of Tzeela Gez, her newborn son, Ravid Haim, passed away Thursday morning. Tzeela was on her way to the hospital to give birth when she was killed in the assault. The baby’s father and family received the heartbreaking news Thursday morning at the hospital.
Schneider Children’s Hospital stated: “We regret to announce that tonight, the baby Ravid Haim, born following the attack in Samaria about two weeks ago, in which his mother, the late Tzeela Gez, was murdered, has passed away.”
“Ravid was hospitalized in critical condition in the neonatal intensive care unit at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, where the medical team cared for him with unwavering dedication and fought for his life. Tragically, despite their best efforts, the hospital was forced to declare his death in the past few hours. We share in the family’s profound sorrow.”
Security forces conducted a three-day manhunt for the terrorist, during which a curfew was imposed on the nearby village of Bruqin, and intensive searches were carried out in homes and surrounding areas. According to the IDF, on Saturday about a week and a half ago, troops identified a man running toward them carrying a bag suspected of being a booby trap. “Faced with an immediate threat, the soldiers opened fire and killed him,” the IDF said.
Following an investigation, it was confirmed that the man was the terrorist responsible for firing on the pregnant Jewish woman. Weapons used in the assault were found in the bag he was carrying.
The terrorist, Nael Samara, had previously served a prison sentence for his involvement with Hamas and was released in 2010. In 2019, he was briefly detained again for online incitement. According to the IDF, Samara, along with two other suspects who were arrested, was involved in several additional shooting attacks in Samaria in recent months, including a March attack in Ariel in which a civilian was moderately wounded.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, mourned the loss: “This is a double murder. The world should be shocked. We demand a clear Zionist response—by building more homes in memory of Ravid and Tzeela. Israeli citizens are calling for a military ground operation in the village of Bruqin and the demolition of all illegal structures that pose a threat to travelers on the road.
“Shockingly, this has yet to take place. We stand with the family and will support them in any way they need. The entire people of Israel and the world mourn this barbaric and horrific act.”
Meital Ben Yosef, chair of the Bruchin settlement, said: “The community of Bruchin is in deep pain, mourning the passing of baby Ravid Chaim ben Tzeela, of blessed memory. A child who was meant to enter this world with joy and hope took his final breath this morning, after fighting for his life since the day he was born—exactly two weeks ago. A vile and cursed terrorist brutally murdered a mother and her newborn in a deliberate attempt to erase and destroy the people of Israel.
“We will not be silent, and we will not stop. In response to this horrific murder, we will strengthen and expand our presence, we will build more, grow stronger, and continue to spread life and holiness. We will show our enemies, and the world, that we are here in the land of our forefathers, and here we will remain, forever.”
