An IDF reservist in his 30s was severely injured on Wednesday in a terrorist ramming attack at the Bell Checkpoint on Route 443 in the Binyamin Region near the city of Modi'in. The IDF stated that security forces operating at the scene eliminated the terrorist.
The Binyamin Regional Council later announced that the severely wounded victim is Neria Leiter, the son of Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter and his wife, Chana.
The family asked the public to pray for the recovery of Neria Dov ben Chana.
Upon learning of his son's injury, Ambassador Leiter departed the United States for Israel. "I am grateful to the IDF, to the medical team at Shaare Zedek who are now fighting to save the life of Neria Dov ben Chana, and for the prayers of the people of Israel. I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen. Neria needs a miracle," the Ambassador stated.
He added: "Neria continued to serve in the reserves after losing his older brother, Moshe Yedidya Leiter, of blessed memory. Since October 7th, he has served hundreds of days in the reserves on multiple fronts."
"Palestinian terrorism seeks to uproot the people of Israel from their land. They choose death - we choose life."
Yechiel and Chana's eldest son, Major (res.) Moshe Yedidya Leiter, fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip in November 2023.
The police stated: “A short time ago, a terrorist drove his vehicle toward a Judea and Samaria District police patrol car and rammed one of the squad members, seriously injuring him. Forces at the scene eliminated the terrorist. Additional police forces are on their way to the scene, and an investigation has been launched."
The terrorist was identified as Mahmoud Mohammed Mahmoud Suliman, a 24-year-old bachelor from Beit Ur a-Tahta, which is adjacent to the scene of the attack.
The victim was evacuated with a head injury to Sha'are Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
United Hatzalah paramedics Itzik Kara and Netanel Cohen were among the first responders at the scene. “United Hatzalah’s Dispatch and Command Center alerted us to a ramming attack near the checkpoint. Together with IDF medical teams, we provided initial emergency treatment at the scene to a man approximately 35 years old," they reported.
They added that "treatment included respiratory support, life-saving medication, bandaging, and immobilization. He was subsequently evacuated to the hospital in serious and unstable condition."
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: “I pray for the swift recovery of Neria Leiter, an IDF reservist who was seriously wounded in the terrorist attack at the Maccabim checkpoint, and the son of Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter. Yechiel, I stand with you and your family and join the entire people of Israel in praying for your son’s recovery.
The Minister commended the soldiers who eliminated the terrorist and added: “To the IDF soldiers and security forces: I believe in you and trust you. We will not allow terrorism to raise its head."
The attack comes just three days after Netanel Shakron, 48, a resident of Alei Zahav, was murdered in a shooting attack at the Ein Raya spring in Binyamin on the Eve of Yom Kippur.
Netanel had arrived at the spring with his 16-year-old son. When the terrorist opened fire, Netanel spotted him and shouted a warning to his son, thereby saving his life. Netanel is survived by six children.
The terrorist, who was wounded by an IDF tracker at the scene, was captured several hours later by Duvdevan forces at a hospital in Ramallah.
