A Palestinian gunman opened fire Sunday morning at Israelis gathered at a natural spring near the Neve Tzuf settlement in the West Bank, killing a 30-year-old father of six who had come to immerse ahead of Yom Kippur.
Israeli authorities identified the victim as Netanel Shukrun of Alei Zahav (also reported as Eli Zahav). He arrived at Ein Ria / Ein Riya spring with his eldest son for ritual immersion before the Jewish Day of Atonement. His son was unharmed. Shukrun was found unconscious in a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds, treated by Magen David Adom teams, and airlifted to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where he was pronounced dead.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Merav Shukrun, a lecturer at Ariel University, and their six children, the youngest of whom is 4 years old. Shukrun worked as an information systems analyst. Community leaders described him as a modest, devoted family man.
Video circulating from the scene shows people at the rocky spring taking cover as the shooting unfolded, with voices asking whether the army or police were present. The gunman fired from a vehicle, then fled on foot while armed. A nearby soldier reportedly wounded him during the initial response.
Israeli forces launched a large-scale manhunt involving the Binyamin Brigade, Duvdevan counterterrorism unit, police, drones, and aerial assets. Roadblocks were set up and a closure imposed on nearby areas. The suspect was located and arrested about three hours later at a hospital in Ramallah. Reports identified him as Qadri Samara, 37, from Biddu, a former prisoner.
In a separate incident shortly afterward, Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian driver near Ganim after the military said he attempted to ram troops. No soldiers were injured. Officials said it was not immediately clear whether the two events were connected.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said security agencies had been instructed to reinforce forces and carry out arrests and offensive operations. “No terrorist is immune,” he stated, extending condolences to the victim’s family. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered additional troops into the sector.
The attack occurred hours before Yom Kippur began Sunday evening, adding to a period of heightened violence in the West Bank. Israeli officials framed the shooting as a terror attack targeting civilians observing a religious ritual.
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