(IsraelNN.com) Terrorists fired at two Israeli vehicles traveling in Shomron on the Trans-Samaria Highway between Tapuach Junction and the community of Migdalim. The attack occurred on Friday afternoon near the PA village of Otzrin at about 3:30pm, less than one hour before the Sabbath.
The four occupants of one of the vehicles, heading eastbound in the direction of the Jordan Valley, were all hit by the gunfire. The four, IDF soldiers and graduates of the Migdalim IDF pre-military yeshiva were heading back to the school for a weekend Sabbath reunion of graduates.
According investigators, the terrorists were waiting in ambush positions, firing at the two vehicles in a cross-fire situation, shooting from both sides of the road. The soldiers in the civilian vehicle reportedly returned fire but the al-Aqsa Brigade terrorists managed to flee the scene.
The driver of the vehicle was the most seriously wounded. According to Dr. Michael Stern, he arrived at Beilinson Hospital in full cardiac arrest. Doctors quickly evaluated the situation, realizing there was nothing more to be done. Resuscitation efforts were not implemented and he was pronounced dead.
A second victim was listed in critical condition upon arrival, with a bullet injury to his forehead and an eye. He underwent three hours of neurosurgery to stop the internal cranial bleeding and stabilize his condition.
According to Prof. Tzvi Rappaport, Chief of Neurology at Beilinson, “he arrived in critical condition with injuries to his frontal brain which resulted in neurological injuries as well as to an eye. A team of surgeons including neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and traumatologists were involved in the life-saving procedure. Following surgery, he remains in a medically induced coma on mechanical respiratory equipment. His injuries are complicated”.
The other two soldiers and a civilian in the second car sustained light injuries from shrapnel.
The four occupants of one of the vehicles, heading eastbound in the direction of the Jordan Valley, were all hit by the gunfire. The four, IDF soldiers and graduates of the Migdalim IDF pre-military yeshiva were heading back to the school for a weekend Sabbath reunion of graduates.
According investigators, the terrorists were waiting in ambush positions, firing at the two vehicles in a cross-fire situation, shooting from both sides of the road. The soldiers in the civilian vehicle reportedly returned fire but the al-Aqsa Brigade terrorists managed to flee the scene.
The driver of the vehicle was the most seriously wounded. According to Dr. Michael Stern, he arrived at Beilinson Hospital in full cardiac arrest. Doctors quickly evaluated the situation, realizing there was nothing more to be done. Resuscitation efforts were not implemented and he was pronounced dead.
A second victim was listed in critical condition upon arrival, with a bullet injury to his forehead and an eye. He underwent three hours of neurosurgery to stop the internal cranial bleeding and stabilize his condition.
According to Prof. Tzvi Rappaport, Chief of Neurology at Beilinson, “he arrived in critical condition with injuries to his frontal brain which resulted in neurological injuries as well as to an eye. A team of surgeons including neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and traumatologists were involved in the life-saving procedure. Following surgery, he remains in a medically induced coma on mechanical respiratory equipment. His injuries are complicated”.
The other two soldiers and a civilian in the second car sustained light injuries from shrapnel.