Slain Israeli Father Buried After Terror Attack Near Neve Tzuf

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 Day of Atonement when a terrorist driving by opened fire. Shkaron was critically wounded and later died at Beilinson Hospital. His son Yoav, who was with him during the attack, survived after his father warned him of the approaching terrorist.

At the funeral, Yoav recounted the moments of the attack, thanking his father for saving his life. "Dad, I want to say thank you for 16 years together. Thank you for giving me life," he said. "Thank you that during the attack, when the terrorist entered, you shouted at me. I don't remember what you told me, and I ran."

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 18 years of marriage as "perfect." She also mentioned that the family was planning a trip abroad the following week.

His sister, Ruti, spoke of him being the youngest child, 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. After a several-hour manhunt, he was located injured in Ramallah and apprehended by Israeli forces. Initial investigations suggest he was familiar with the attack area and had scouted it the day before.