Teenager Fatally Hit by Car Mourned in Itamar

Amichai Attia, a 17-year-old, was laid to rest on Friday in the cemetery in Itamar, one day after he was fatally struck by a vehicle near a Selichot (penitential prayers) event in Hadera.

During the funeral, Rabbi Matania Ben Shitri of the 'Hetzim' yeshiva eulogized Attia, describing him as a unique individual who "lit up the face of everyone he met" with a "shy smile." He emphasized Attia's deep love for the Land of Israel and his special optimism. "You were always true to yourself, calm and relaxed in every situation," the rabbi added, urging mourners to carry Attia's virtues forward.

Friend Elai Cohen recalled waking up early and struggling to believe the news, calling Attia "one of the strongest people we knew." He noted that Attia passed away on Shabbat Shuvah, two days before Yom Kippur, suggesting he may have needed that time to ascend to heaven "clean." Cohen described Attia as "the purest person I ever met," always "straightforward, always happy" with a "huge smile on his face."

Attia, a 12th-grade student at the 'Hetzim' yeshiva, had attended the Selichot event with classmates. The incident occurred in the parking lot when a driver from Kafr Mandi, reportedly speeding, hit him. Attia was critically injured and taken to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Social media footage shows hundreds of youths at the event. The driver was reportedly unloading goods when some youths confronted him. He then began to reverse and flee, with some youths chasing him, during which he struck Attia. Police are investigating the incident as criminal, not terror-related, and friends stressed Attia was not involved in the confrontation preceding the incident.