BICOM

38-year-old Dafna Meir was killed in a knife attack yesterday evening in her home in the West Bank settlement of Otniel, not far from Hebron.

The mother of six reportedly struggled with the intruder, who fled the scene after fatally repeatedly stabbing her. Meir’s 15-year-old daughter witnessed the attack and two of her other children were apparently in the home at the time. A manhunt was launched to find the attacker, who police and security forces believe fled to a nearby Palestinian village, specifically Khirbet Karme. The IDF told local residents to remain in their homes while initial searches were conducted. An IDF spokesman said that “An army force is pursuing the terrorist.”

Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the terror attack, saying, “I want to give strength to all the children of the family. All of us are hurting and share in the painful grief. We will find the terrorist, and he will pay the full price for this heinous murder.” President Reuven Rivlin called the attack “a horrific tragedy.” Meanwhile, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said that, “The murder today teaches us again about the kind of cruel and relentless enemy we are dealing with” and pledged, “We will not rest until we settle accounts with the terrorist, wherever he is.”

Yesterday’s fatal stabbing was the latest in a wave of near-daily attacks by Palestinians on Israelis, which has seen at least 27 Israelis killed since the start of October. The Hebron region has been a particular focal point for attacks. In particular, Rabbi Yaakov Litman and his son were murdered in November when they were shot while driving near Otniel.

Also yesterday, a Palestinian who attempted to stab Israeli soldiers near Nablus was shot dead at the scene. He approached soldiers securing the Hativa Square and attacked them with a knife. Troops opened fire and killed the assailant.