The Israeli man brutally murdered near the town of Hermesh in northern Samaria has been identified as Meir Tamari, a 32-year-old Hermesh resident.
Tamari, who was shot dead by terrorists on Tuesday afternoon, is married and the father of two children, ages one and three.
Tamari moved to Hermesh four years ago, after marrying his wife, who grew up in the town. Just recently, the couple finished building their home.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said, "This is very difficult news. Our heart breaks together with that of the entire family, the town, and the entire nation of Israel. It hurts so much to say this now, but we all understand: The writing was on the wall. We could have prevented this terror attack. This terror attack occurred just meters from a checkpoint which, if it were active, this terror attack would have been prevented."
"We begged that the checkpoint be reopened, we warned that we would pay in blood, and we were not answered. If the government of Israel had not caved to international pressure and removed the security checkpoints, including this checkpoint, Meir would be here with us today, and this evening he would once again laugh and play with his little children and his wife Tal. I demand, now, that the security checkpoints be reinstated. If soldiers had stopped the terrorist at a checkpoint which still exists but is unmanned, Meir would still be with us."
Initial investigations show that a passing car with two terrorists in it passed Tamari's car and the terrorists fired an estimated seven bullets at him with an M16.
Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics worked with IDF medical forces to provide first aid to Tamari, who suffered wounds to his upper body, and he was evacuated to Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera. According to the hospital, Tamari "arrived with a critical injury. Unfortunately, despite enormous efforts by the medical staff, the staff was forced to declare his death. The family has been notified."
MDA paramedic Yair Chaim Korman said, "We saw the victim lying unconscious and suffering gunshot wounds to his body, near the entrance to the town. Together with military medical forces, we provided him with lifesaving medical treatment and evacuated him to the hospital in serious condition."
Paramedic Yehuda Horwitz said, "I was in an open area near Hermesh when I heard the sound of gunshots and at the same time I received a report from the MDA hotline regarding the victim. I quickly arrived and I saw the victim lying near the vehicle, conscious and with bullet wounds in his body. Together with the military medical force which quickly arrived at the scene, we provided him with lifesaving medical treatment and he was evacuated in a military mobile ICU to the hospital, in serious condition."
A large number of IDF forces also arrived at the scene, and began searching for the terrorists.
In a statement, the IDF said, "Following the initial report, an Israeli civilian who was injured by live fire arrived at the entrance of the community of Hermesh a short while ago. The civilian received initial medical treatment at the scene and was later evacuated to a hospital. IDF soldiers began pursuing the terrorists and checkpoints have been set up in the area."
Dimiter Tzantchev, Ambassador of the European Union to the State of Israel, tweeted, "I'm shocked and saddened by yet another shooting attack in the West Bank, which killed an Israeli father of two. Sending deepest condolences to his family. I condemn this cowardly and brutal act of violence! We stand together against terrorism, which needs to be rejected by all."