Infant Ravid Chaim, son of the late Tzeela Gez who was murdered in the terrorist attack in Bruchin, passed away during the night between Wednesday and Thursday at the hospital. His father, Chananel Gez, and other family members received the heartbreaking news this morning.
The funeral will be held today in Jerusalem and will be open to media coverage.
Fought for his life for two weeks
Ravid Chaim was born via emergency C-section following the shooting attack that claimed the life of his mother, Tzeela Gez z”l. For two weeks, he fought for his life. About a week ago, a moving naming ceremony was held at the Gez family home, during which his name was chosen.
Among those present were the community’s rabbi, Rabbi Meir Hilvitz, Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, as well as close friends and relatives. The baby was named Ravid Chaim—the name his mother Tzeela had chosen for him before her murder.
“There are no words that can comfort the murder of a newborn baby”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the tragic news:
“There are no words that can comfort the murder of a newborn baby together with his mother.”
He added: “The bravery and self-sacrifice of the pioneering settlers in Judea and Samaria will defeat all our enemies.”
He concluded his remarks with the words: “Earth, do not cover their blood.”
“A conversation I will never forget”
President Isaac Herzog also offered his condolences:
“My deepest condolences to Chananel Gez and his family on the death of baby Ravid Chaim z”l, who was delivered from the womb of his mother, Tzeela z”l, after she was murdered in a brutal terror attack near Bruchin about two weeks ago, on her way to the delivery room. We prayed so hard that little Ravid would survive and live with his loving family.”
Herzog added that he spoke with Chananel last Friday:
“Chananel is a true Israeli hero. It was a conversation I will never forget. The entire people of Israel embrace him in this painful hour and pray that he and his children will find comfort and healing. May their memory be a blessing.”
“A double murder – the world should be shocked”
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan mourned the baby with deep sorrow:
“This is a double murder! The world should be shocked.”
“We demand a clear Zionist response: building and more building, in memory of Ravid and Tzeela. We embrace the family and will stand by them in everything they need. The entire nation of Israel, and the world, grieves this barbaric and horrific murder,” he said.
“We are in our ancestral homeland and we will remain here forever”
Chair of the Bruchin community, Meital Ben Yosef, stated:
“The community of Bruchin mourns the passing of baby Ravid Chaim, son of Tzeela, may God avenge her blood. A baby who was meant to enter the world in joy and anticipation took his final breath this morning, after struggling between life and death since the day he was born, exactly two weeks ago.”
“A vile and despicable terrorist murdered a mother and her baby in an attempt to erase and annihilate the people of Israel. We will not be silent, and we will not stop—we will expand and deepen our commemorative and response efforts to this shocking murder,” she added.
She further declared her intention to strengthen and grow the community:
“We will make it absolutely clear to all our enemies that we are here, in our ancestral homeland, and we will remain here forever!”
