Friday night’s attack near the Neve Yaakov synagogue was the deadliest attack on Jewish worshippers Israel has seen since 2014. Friday night’s terrorist, Hayeri Alkam, appears to have acted alone. 45 suspects related to him were arrested, including his parents.
The seven victims are: Asher Natan, 14, Eli Mizrahi, 48, and his wife Natalie, 45, and Rafael Ben Eliyahu, 56, a resident of Neve Yaakov, whose son was seriously injured in the attack. Also identified were Shaul Chai, 68, a Gabai of a nearby shul; Ilya Sosnasky, age 26, and Irina Korolova.
On Saturday evening, Motzei Shabbat, a terrorist armed with a handgun was identified at the outskirts of the community of Kedumim and was neutralized by the community’s civilian security team. Also on Saturday, a report was received regarding a shooting attack at the Almog Junction. A terrorist arrived at a restaurant, fired one bullet, and fled the scene. After the terrorist fired one bullet, a firearm malfunction occurred, and he was unable to continue shooting.
As can be expected, Israel’s defense forces are exercising self-defense as they prepare for potential copycat attacks along with a response to this violation of Israel’s sovereignty. AFSI mourns the loss of the 7 innocent victims. We express our condolences to the families of those murdered in this horrific terror attack. We pray that the injured have a speedy recovery and that everyone in the community returns to normal life as soon as possible.
Sources:
7 Neve Yaakov Terror Victims Identified, by David Israel/Jewish Press, January 28, 2023
Weekend of terror: Terrorist neutralized in Samaria, by Israel National News, January 29, 2023