Slain Israeli Father Buried After Protecting Son in Terror Attack

Natanel Shkaron, 48, who was killed in a shooting attack near the settlement of Neve Tzuf hours before Yom Kippur, was laid to rest in the cemetery of Ali Zahav. Family, friends, and residents attended the funeral.

Shkaron was with his 16-year-old son, Yoav, at the Ein Ra'aya spring to immerse before the Jewish holiday when a terrorist in a passing vehicle opened fire. Shkaron was critically wounded and later died at Beilinson Hospital. His son Yoav, who survived after his father warned him of the attacker, recited Kaddish at the funeral. "Dad, I want to say thank you for 16 years together. Thank you for giving me life," Yoav said, recounting how his father's warning allowed him to escape.

Shkaron, a resident of Ali Zahav, is survived by his wife, Dr. Mirav Shkaron, a lecturer at Ariel University, and six children. His wife described him as "the most involved father in the world" and recalled their planned family trip abroad next week. She also spoke of his support for her career and their 18 years of marriage, calling them "soulmates."

His sister, Ruti, shared that Natanel was the youngest of their siblings and was born to their mother when she was 45 and battling illness. His sister Miri recounted their mother's difficult pregnancy, during which she made a pact with God to protect the fetus in exchange for her own health.

The terrorist, identified as a 37-year-old Hamas operative from the Bir Zeit area, fled the scene on foot. He was later apprehended, wounded, in Ramallah after a manhunt. Initial investigations suggest he was familiar with the area and had scouted it the day before the attack.