Jerusalem: The newborn baby of an Israeli woman fatally shot by a Palestinian assailant in the West Bank has died, the hospital treating the infant confirmed on Thursday.
On May 14, 37-year-old Tzeela Gez was traveling with her husband from their home in the West Bank settlement of Bruchin to a Tel Aviv hospital to give birth when a Palestinian gunman opened fire on their vehicle. Gez succumbed to her injuries, but doctors successfully performed an emergency cesarean section delivering the baby.
Schneider Children's Medical Center announced, "With deep regret, we inform that last night, Ravid Chaim, born following the terror attack in Samaria approximately two weeks ago, has passed away." The newborn had been in critical condition in the neonatal intensive care unit where medical staff endeavored to save his life; despite these efforts, the hospital declared his death.
The Israeli military reported last week that the shooter was identified and neutralized during a manhunt in the West Bank.
Bruchin, like all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, is deemed illegal under international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed sorrow, stating, "There are no words to console the murder of a newborn infant together with his mother. The heroism of the pioneering settlers in Judea and Samaria and their self-sacrifice will defeat all our enemies."
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right Minister of National Security, described the attack as a stark reminder of the necessity for a decisive response against an enemy that kills mothers and children indiscriminately.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, condemned the deaths and called for "construction and more construction in memory of Ravid and Tzeela."
Additionally, on Thursday, Israel’s security cabinet approved the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank, further intensifying regional tensions.
