Israeli Ambassador to US Visits Son Critically Injured in Terror Attack

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, arrived in Israel on Thursday and visited his son, Neriah Leiter, who is hospitalized at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Neriah, a reservist and resident of Havat Yair in the Samaria region, was injured Wednesday when a terrorist rammed his vehicle into a checkpoint on Route 443. Neriah Leiter, who was part of a police patrol vehicle's crew at the time, underwent complex brain surgery that lasted for hours.

"His condition remains very serious and his life is in danger. Extensive teams, including surgical and intensive care units, continue to provide Neriah with life-saving treatment, with close support from social workers who are sensitively accompanying his family at all times," the hospital stated Wednesday evening.

Neriah's mother, Chani, told Army Radio on Thursday morning that his wife initially thought the incident involved a bomb. "It's impossible to get used to this. We are still in shock. His wife constantly says, 'I can't believe this is happening to us.' She said she worried when he served in Lebanon, but this close to home?" she described in an interview.

The Leiter family lost another son, Major (res.) Moshe Yedidya Leiter, who fell in Gaza in November 2023. "After Moshe fell, he wanted so much to rally us all, and helped us all. He held our hand. He was amazing. He was in good contact with almost all of us. Whoever needed help, he was there. We are clinging to life," Chani said.

She added that Neriah's 11-year-old son was told about the incident by his mother on Wednesday, with friends staying with the children overnight. The family also welcomed a new granddaughter early Thursday morning, born to one of their daughters.