Hundreds Mourn Slain Israeli Father at Late-Night Funeral

Hundreds of people attended the funeral of Natanel Shkaron, who was murdered hours before Yom Kippur at the Ein Ri'a spring in the Benjamin region. The funeral took place late Monday night into Tuesday at the Elye Zahav cemetery. Shkaron, a 40-year-old information systems analyst, is survived by his wife, Merav, and six children. His eldest son, an 11th grader, was with him at the spring when the attack occurred but was unharmed.

The family gathered by Shkaron's grave for the traditional tearing of garments, embracing each other in grief. Attendees included Major General Aviv Kochavi, commander of the IDF's Central Command, and Brigadier General Kobi Heller, commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, along with many young people who came to pay their respects despite the late hour.

Natanel Shkaron was at the Ein Ri'a spring with his 16-year-old son to immerse before Yom Kippur. After they finished, as they returned to their car, the attacker opened fire, killing Shkaron but leaving his son unharmed. A tracker from the Benjamin Brigade who was in the area responded by firing at the terrorist, wounding him and preventing further shooting, thereby saving Shkaron's son.

New details from the investigation reveal the attacker, identified as 37-year-old Hamas operative Kadri Samara, had been in the area for a day prior to the attack. He allegedly exploited the tradition of people visiting the spring near Naveh Tzuf for immersion before Yom Kippur. After being wounded, the terrorist fled to a clinic in Ramallah, where he was apprehended by Duvdevan Unit soldiers while lying in a bed. Initial investigations suggest the attacker acted alone.

Leaders from the Elye Zahav community described Shkaron as a "man of kindness, humble, modest, and beloved, a devoted husband to Merav and a devoted father to his six children." They pledged their support to his family, stating, "We are all embracing Merav and the children and will stand by them in this difficult time and whatever is required."