Minister of Settlements and National Missions Orit Strook responded this morning (Thursday) to the tragic terror attack in Samaria in which Tzala Gez z”l was murdered, expressing deep sorrow over her death. Strook described Gez as “a woman full of life” who, on the day of the attack, was “on her way to bring new life into the world,” but instead met her end in a brutal encounter with terrorists. She emphasized the pain of losing an innocent life to such intolerable violence and criticized the security situation that allows tragedies like this to occur.
According to Strook, the state must draw clear conclusions from this horrific attack. “The lesson should have been learned long ago,” she said, directing attention to the roads in Judea and Samaria. “Anyone who is not permitted to drive on the roads of ‘Little Israel’ due to the danger they pose should not be on the roads that are the lifelines of settlement in Judea and Samaria.” Strook argued that the lives of local residents are more valuable than saving 15–20 minutes of travel or waiting at a checkpoint, and called for the existing policy to change.
Renewed Cabinet Discussion
The minister emphasized that she will demand a renewed discussion in the Security Cabinet to revise the policy regarding access to roads in Judea and Samaria. “Any other decision is a decision to treat some citizens as second-class, whose lives are worth less,” she said.
Shooting Attack
A serious shooting attack occurred last night near the entrance to the village of Bruchin, in the area of the IDF’s Ephraim Brigade. A terrorist opened fire on Tzala Gez z”l, who was on her way to the delivery room. Beilinson Hospital confirmed her death this morning after attempts to save her life. During the treatment, doctors performed an emergency cesarean section in the trauma room to deliver the baby. As of this morning, the infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit at Schneider Children’s Medical Center. Medical teams fought through the night to save him. His condition is currently serious but stable. Tzala’s husband, Hananel, who was lightly injured in the attack and treated in the trauma room, has been released from the hospital.
Manhunt for the Shooter
IDF forces are pursuing the terrorist believed to have carried out the shooting. In the meantime, troops have surrounded the nearby village of Burqin. Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot and Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig. Gen. Yaki Dolf conducted a situation assessment at the scene. The Air Force and special units were also called in.
The IDF has imposed a closure on Palestinian villages near the scene of the attack as part of the effort to capture the terrorist, who opened fire from a passing vehicle. Security forces have established roadblocks throughout the area and continue an extensive manhunt to locate and arrest the suspect.
