Rabbi Raziel Shevach, a 32-year-old father of six, has died of his wounds following a shooting attack near Havat Gilad in Samaria this evening.

Rabbi Shevach was a mohel and volunteered with Magen David Adom. About a year ago, he finished studies for the rabbinate, and was currently in the midst of studies to be a rabbinical arbiter.

The rabbi leaves behind a wife, 4 daughters and 2 sons, the younger of which is an 8-month-old baby. Details for the funeral have not yet been set.

Medics who rushed to the scene provided aid to the rabbi and evacuated him to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba, where doctors fought to save his life, but were ultimately forced to confirm his death.

The hospital said that "The wounded man arrived to the hospital without pulse, not breathing, and without vital signs. He was brought to the trauma room, where advanced resuscitation efforts were employed. Unfortunately, despite the efforts, his death was confirmed."

Initial reports indicated that terrorists shot from a passing vehicle and escaped the scene.

Following the attack, the head of the IDF Central Command, Major General Roni Numa, conducted an assessment of the situation, together with the Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division, Brigadier General Eran Niv, and the Commander of the Samaria Regional Division, Col. Gilad Amit.

During the assessment it was decided on a series of steps to locate the terrorists who carried out the attack, including a full check of the entrances and exits to the city of Shechem (Nablus), the deployment of many forces and the setting up of roadblocks in the area. Additional forces have been sent to the area.

IDF troops at the scene of the attack
IDF troops at the scene of the attackPhoto: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

MDA medic Elyashiv Reichenberg described the scene of the attack. "I departed in an MDA ambulance from the nearby community of Kedumim, arriving at the scene within a very short time. On the side of the road near the security rail, I could see a private vehicle which bore signs of gunfire. Approaching the vehicle, I saw that the driver was partially conscious, with bullet wounds to his upper body."

"Residents who live in the community nearby heard the shooting and arrived to help. With the help of an IDF medical team that also arrived the scene, we provided emergency life-saving treatment, then evacuated him to the hospital in critical condition," the medic described.

Samaria Council head Yossi Dagan responded to the tragic incident, saying, "It's inconceivable that terrorists feel free to shoot at innocent civilians. Nevertheless, I want to send a clear message to our enemies: We will not give in to terror. We have chosen the path of life."