Pregnant Israeli woman shot in West Bank attack

Tzeela Gez, an Israeli mother who was on her way to deliver her fourth child, died on Thursday after a shooting in the West Bank. A terrorist fired on her car Wednesday night near her home settlement of Bruchin, mortally wounding Gez and injuring her husband, Hananel, according to Israeli Ynet News. Gez’s baby was delivered by emergency surgery and was fighting for his life, an Israeli Defense Forces spokesman said Thursday. The 30-year-old mother had worked as a mental health counselor, according to Ynet.

Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, praised the attack. He called the shooting heroic and said Palestinians in the West Bank should continue to rise up against what he called Israeli aggression, according to Hamas-affiliated Quds Press.

It was unclear whether the shooter was officially affiliated with Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said security forces were pursuing those who carried out or aided in the attack. The Israeli military sent troops and a drone to aid in the manhunt, and soldiers cordoned off the town of Bruchin, The Times of Israel reported. Palestinian Christian activist Ihab Hassan said soldiers also closed several other villages and roads, forcing some stranded people to sleep in their cars.

How did Israeli authorities react? Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the attack illustrated that Israel’s war isn’t just with Hamas in Gaza. He urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring back military checkpoints to the West Bank, which he referred to as Judea and Samaria. Israeli settlers’ right to life outweighs Palestinians’ right to movement, Ben Gvir said.

Yossi Dagan, head of the regional council for Gez’s area, said four attacks had occurred on the same stretch of road where Gez was shot. He urged Israeli forces to flatten nests of terrorism and use its tactics from Gaza in the West Bank, according to Ynet News.

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