Slain Father Sacrifices Himself to Save Son in Terror Attack

Hundreds gathered Monday evening at the Alei Zahav cemetery to mourn Netanel Shukrun, a father of six who was murdered near the Ein Ria spring in the Binyamin region just before Yom Kippur. Shukrun had gone to the spring with his 16-year-old son, Yoav, for a ritual immersion before the fast. When a terrorist opened fire, Shukrun warned his son in his final moments, enabling Yoav to escape and survive.

At the funeral, Yoav thanked his father for saving his life, recounting how his father's warning allowed him to flee. He also asked his father for forgiveness and pledged to his family that they would continue together. Shukrun's wife, Merav, also paid tribute to her husband's courage and devotion, noting their planned trip abroad and his meticulous preparations for their family time, including setting up a sukkah and preparing food.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, eulogized Shukrun as an exemplary father and community member, highlighting his final act of heroism in saving his son. Dagan also called on the Israeli government for a stronger security response, demanding a large-scale military operation, the reestablishment of checkpoints, and a thorough campaign to seize illegal weapons.

Dagan urged the government to target all terrorist infrastructure and make the perpetrators pay, stating, "This is our land." The article also briefly mentions the elimination of a Hamas operative involved in the October 7th attacks and a Nukhba commander.