Man Murdered at West Bank Spring Ahead of Yom Kippur

Natanel Shkaron, a 37-year-old resident of the Israeli settlement of Ali Zahav in the Samaria region and a father of six, was killed in a shooting attack on Sunday at the Ein Ri'a spring near Neve Tzuf in the Benjamin region. Shkaron had arrived at the spring with his eldest son to immerse himself in preparation for Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During their presence, an assailant opened fire, critically wounding Shkaron. His son was unharmed.

Rescue teams provided initial medical treatment and evacuated Shkaron by Magen David Adom ambulance to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva. Despite efforts by medical staff, he was later pronounced dead. Shkaron is survived by his wife, Dr. Mirav Shkaron, a lecturer at Ariel University, and their six children, ranging in age from four to a high school student.

Following the attack, Israeli security forces launched an extensive manhunt for the perpetrator, identified as a 37-year-old resident of the village of Biddu. The pursuit involved the IDF's Benjamin Brigade, the Duvdevan Unit, and the Israel Police. The gunman fled the scene, reportedly injured by a soldier's fire.

Approximately three hours after the attack, Duvdevan Unit soldiers located the suspect at a hospital in Ramallah, where he had gone for medical treatment, and apprehended him. Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, who visited the family, eulogized Shkaron as a "man of kindness, humble, and loving person, a devoted family man and part of a deep-rooted and veteran family in Ali Zahav." The community of Ali Zahav described him as "beloved, kind, modest, and loved, a devoted husband to Mirav and a devoted father to his six children."

The social services department of the Samaria Regional Council and the local emergency team are providing assistance to the Shkaron family.