Son Recounts Father's Final Act of Saving Him in West Bank Terror Attack

Natanel Shkaron, 48, who was murdered in a shooting attack near Ein Ri'a spring in the West Bank, was laid to rest Monday in the settlement of Ali Zahav in Samaria. Shkaron, a father of six and an information systems analyst, was killed just before Yom Kippur.

During the funeral, his son Yoav, who was with him during the attack, spoke at the graveside. "Thank you, Dad, for what you told me and for saving me, and thank you to God," Yoav said. Family members recounted that Shkaron's grandfather, a district rabbi, was murdered on the steps of a synagogue in Algeria approximately 70 years ago.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, addressed Yoav, stating, "Even in his final moments, he told you: 'Terrorist! Run!' Yoav, you are a true hero. Dad is proud of you for listening to him. You saved your life and the lives of everyone at the spring because the terrorist ran after you." Dagan indicated that Shkaron's warning allowed others to escape.

Shkaron is survived by his wife, Dr. Meirav Shkaron, a computer science expert and AI lecturer at Ariel University, and their six children, the eldest in 11th grade and the youngest aged four. The funeral was attended by senior military officials, including the head of Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Blott, and the commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brig. Gen. Kobi Heller.