Israeli Ambassador to US Shares Update on Son's Critical Condition After Terror Attack

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, provided an update on Sunday regarding his son Neriah's critical condition following a vehicular ramming attack near the Makabim checkpoint on Route 443 last week. Neriah, a reservist sergeant and resident of Havat Yair in the Samaria region, was on duty with a police officer in a patrol car when the terrorist, identified as 29-year-old Suleiman Mahmoud from the village of Beit Ur al-Tahta, intentionally rammed his vehicle into them. Forces at the scene neutralized the attacker.

Ambassador Herzog posted on his X account, formerly Twitter, expressing gratitude for the prayers and support his family has received. "Neriah's life is still hanging by a thread, but we have seen some encouraging signs and we are clinging to them with hope," Herzog wrote. He added, "We believe in the power of prayer, that God hears prayers and can heal even when healing seems impossible."

Herzog requested that prayers for Neriah also include well wishes for all those seriously injured by terrorists. He described Neriah and his friends as "heroes who ensure we can persevere and win the struggle against those who sow murder and destruction," calling it a "struggle for the future of civilization, no less."

Neriah was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center and underwent a complex, hours-long brain surgery. This incident follows a personal tragedy for the family, as Neriah's brother, Major Moshe Yedidya Herzog, was killed in combat in northern Gaza about three years ago. He was 39 and a father of six.