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

Ambassador of Israel to the United States Yechiel Leiter has provided an emotional update on his son, Neriah Leiter, a reserve combatant who was critically injured two weeks ago in a vehicular attack at the Beitunia checkpoint on Route 443. "Neriah has severe head injuries, but in the last few days he has begun to breathe on his own, though he is not conscious," the ambassador stated. Neriah Leiter, a resident of Havat Yair in the Samaria region, was serving with a police security detail at the checkpoint when a terrorist rammed his vehicle into the post. He was evacuated to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem with very severe head trauma and underwent a complex, hours-long brain surgery. The family is facing another profound loss, having lost another son, Major (res.) Moshe Yedidiah Leiter, who fell in combat in the Gaza Strip in November 2023. Despite this heavy loss, Neriah continued his reserve service, completing hundreds of days on various fronts since October 7th. In the days following the attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Neriah at Shaare Zedek to offer support to the family. Upon leaving the hospital, the Prime Minister urged the public to pray for Neriah Dov ben Hannah's recovery. Ambassador Leiter, who was in New York preparing for the Prime Minister's UN visit, landed in Israel and went directly to the hospital. He told reporters at the hospital, "I thank the senior team treating our son Neriah. We feel we are in the best hands. Tonight was very difficult." Professor Alexander Yuskovich from Shaare Zedek Medical Center reported, "After a series of tests and surgeries, we can say the condition is stable. The situation is still serious and his life is in danger, but we are full of hope." The ambassador had previously posted an update stating, "Neriah's life is still hanging by a thread, but we have seen some encouraging signs and are clinging to them with hope." He added, "We believe in the power of prayer, that God hears prayers and can heal even when healing seems impossible." The ambassador requested that prayers for Neriah also include wishes for a full recovery for all those seriously injured by terrorists, calling them "the heroes who ensure we can persevere and win the struggle against those who sow murder and destruction." The family continues to ask the public to recite Psalms and pray for the complete recovery of Neriah Dov ben Hannah. Extensive teams at Shaare Zedek, including surgical and intensive care units, are providing Neriah with life-saving treatment, with close support from social workers who are sensitively accompanying his family.