BICOM

A 35-year-old Rabbi and paramedic was killed in a drive-by shooting close to the Havat Gilad outpost in the West Bank last night.

A total of 22 rounds were fired from a passing vehicle on Route 60 at around 8pm, fatally wounding father of six Rabbi Raziel Shevah.

Shevah called emergency services before losing consciousness, but was pronounced dead at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba after doctors were unable to resuscitate him. Dr Guy Elad confirmed that he “arrived at the hospital without a pulse, with no breath and no life signals… unfortunately despite our efforts his death was [eventually] determined”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the family of Raziel Shevah, who was murdered by a lowly terrorist. Security forces will do everything in their power to locate the heinous killer and the State of Israel will bring him to justice”.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, thanked the emergency services for their efforts, adding: “I want to send a clear message to our enemies. We will not surrender to terror. We choose life.”

Israeli Leader of the opposition Isaac Herzog expressed his dismay, saying: “terror doesn’t rest for a moment and this time the victim is a paramedic who dedicated his life to his fellow men, regardless of their background”.

Overnight, security forces and Special Forces searched the area for the attacker, temporarily imposing security checks for those entering and exiting the villages surrounding Nablus.

A statement from Hamas’s military wing responded to the attack by saying that “the West Bank will remain a knife in your body,” whilst the groups political wing praised the “heroic action” of the attacker.