Israeli Ambassador to US Updates on Son Severely Wounded in Terror Attack

Ambassador of Israel to the United States Yechiel Leiter provided an update on Wednesday, October 7, regarding his son Neria, who was critically injured in a terror attack on Highway 443 on September 23. Speaking in Jerusalem at an international memorial ceremony for the victims of October 7, Leiter stated, "Neria has severe head injuries, but in recent days he has begun to breathe on his own. He is not yet fully conscious. We are fighting for our existence here. We are sure that the Almighty hears our prayers, and yours. We need you and these prayers. We will win."

Neria Leiter, an IDF reservist and brother of Major Moshe Yadidi Leiter, who was killed in Gaza, was wounded by a Palestinian terrorist near the "Bel" checkpoint on Highway 443. Preliminary investigations indicate the terrorist drove into the lane designated for Palestinians. A soldier at the checkpoint attempted to neutralize the attacker but was also targeted. Additional forces then opened fire, killing the terrorist, identified as 29-year-old Mahmoud Suleiman from Beit Ur al-Tahta.

The attack occurred the day before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the UN General Assembly in New York. Ambassador Leiter, who was scheduled to attend the speech, immediately flew to Israel upon learning of his son's injury. He posted on X that Neria had continued his reserve service after losing his brother Moshe Yadidi Leiter, serving hundreds of days on various fronts since October 7. "Palestinian terrorism aims to tear the people of Israel from their land. They choose death, we choose life," the ambassador wrote.

Prime Minister Netanyahu shared the ambassador's post, stating, "My wife Sara and I, along with all the people of Israel, pray for a miracle. Dear Neria, we are all with you." Before departing for the US, Netanyahu visited Neria's family at Shaare Zedek Hospital, where the injured son was being treated.

In May 2026, Neria Leiter had written on Facebook about his reserve duty, including experiences during the war with Iran. He reflected on the challenges faced by reservists, such as lack of showers, fragmented sleep, and constant fatigue, noting, "When you are 38, your body constantly reminds you that you are no longer a twenty-year-old youth. But I am ready to give everything for the right to be on the front lines with my comrades." He described his diverse unit and the commitment of reservists, stating, "We have lost count of call-up notices, but we report for duty every time, again and again. We do not complain, each of us has shining eyes, each wants to fulfill his duty as best as possible."