An Israeli father was killed, a mother critically injured, and their two children wounded after terrorists opened fire at the family while they were traveling on Israel’s Route 60 near Hebron on Friday.
The man has been identified as 48-year-old Miki Mark, a father of 10 and head of a West Bank yeshiva, The Times of Israel reported. He was the cousin of Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.
Mark’s wife, seriously hurt with wounds to her head and upper body, was anesthetized and put on a ventilator before being transferred to Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem. The couple’s 14-year-old daughter was evacuated in moderate-to-serious condition and their 15-year-old son sustained light injuries. Earlier reports of a baby in the car were apparently mistaken.
The vehicle was fired on over 20 times, according to authorities.
Images from the scene. Look how many bullet holes in the rear door. 1 killed in the attack, 3 wounded. pic.twitter.com/jOesb730kv
— Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) July 1, 2016
The IDF is searching the area for suspects, believed to be from the Palestinian town of Bani Na’im.
Hamas praised the attack on its official television channel, but did not claim responsibility, Army Radio reported.
Earlier on Friday, a Palestinian woman attempted to stab a Border Police officer at the Tomb of the Patriarchs. The officer opened fire, killing her.
On Thursday, a Palestinian stabbed a 13-year-old Israeli-American girl, Hallel Yaffa Ariel, to death as she slept in her bedroom in Kiryat Arba, which is near Hebron. Later in the day, two Israelis were stabbed and wounded by a Palestinian assailant in Netanya. The attacker was shot and killed.
The attacks come as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.
Palestinian attacks against Israelis and tourists on the Temple Mount last week led to the closure of the sensitive site, the holiest in the Jewish faith, to all non-Muslims until the end of Ramadan.
Three weeks ago, two Palestinians from the West Bank took advantage of the relaxed travel restrictions for Ramadan and opened fire in a popular Tel Aviv shopping center, killing four people and wounding several more.
[Photo: Twitter ]