Slain Israeli Father Saved Son During Terror Attack Near West Bank Spring

Hundreds attended the funeral of Natanel Shkaron, 48, who was killed in a shooting attack near the Ein Ri'a spring in the Benjamin region of the West Bank on Monday evening, hours before Yom Kippur. Shkaron, a father of six, was at the spring with his 16-year-old son to immerse before the Jewish Day of Atonement when a terrorist opened fire. Shkaron was killed, but his son was unharmed.

The assailant, identified as 37-year-old Hamas operative Qadri Samara, had reportedly been in the area for a day prior to the attack. He allegedly arrived by car and shot at Shkaron's vehicle, possibly targeting the popular spring site on the eve of Yom Kippur. A tracker from the Benjamin Brigade, who was in a nearby armored vehicle, responded by shooting and wounding the attacker, preventing further casualties and saving Shkaron's son. The terrorist fled to a clinic in Ramallah, where he was apprehended by Duvdevan Unit soldiers.

Initial investigations suggest the attacker acted alone. Shkaron worked as an information systems analyst and is survived by his wife, Merav, a computer science doctor and AI lecturer at Ariel University, and their six children. His eldest son is in 11th grade and the youngest is four years old.

During the funeral, Shkaron's son Yoav tearfully recounted how his father shouted a warning, enabling him to escape. "Thank you for giving me life," Yoav said. His daughter Talia recalled her father's invitation to the spring and the devastating realization of the attack. Merav Shkaron spoke of her husband's support and their deep connection, noting he helped her prepare for lectures. Head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, eulogized Shkaron as a proud Jew who saved his son's life in his final moments.