Israel – After months of quiet, a father of seven was shot dead in a drive-by shooting attack near the northern Samaria settlement of Shavei Shomron on Thursday.
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The victim was identified as Meir Chai, a 45-year-old resident of the settlement and father of seven children ranging in age from two months to 18.
Chai was the fourth terror victim in the West Bank in 2009. In March, two policemen were shot dead in the Jordan Valley and in April, 13-year-old Shlomo Nativ was stabbed to death near his home in the Gush Etzion settlement of Bat Ayin.
Chai was driving in his minivan on Road 57, between Shavei Shomron and Einav, when a Palestinian car overtook him and opened fire. Chai was hit in the head and drove off the road. Magen David Adom paramedics arrived quickly at the scene and despite their efforts, were forced to pronounce his death.
“We are looking into every possible direction with intelligence and by searching nearby villages,” said Brig.-Gen. Nitzan Alon, commander of the Judea and Samaria Brigade. “We will continue acting to prevent terrorist attacks and to find the murderers.”
Large IDF and Border Police forces were alerted to the scene and began searching for the terrorists. According to Palestinian reports, the Imad Mughniyeh Group – in reference to the Hizbullah commander assassinated two years ago – claimed responsibility for the attack. It also claimed to be affiliated with Fatah’s Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades.
The group said its members “withdrew from the area safely.” It also warned of “a series of attacks to come.”
The IDF set up checkpoints on major roads in the area in an effort to capture the gunmen and was coordinating with Palestinian security forces, which reportedly found a car set ablaze in a field near Tulkarm that might have been used by the terrorists.
Gil Bismot, the head of Zaka in Judea and Samaria, said that several bullet holes riddled the minivan.
“I’m not a ballistics expert, but an automatic weapon seems to have been involved,” Bismot told The Jerusalem Post.
“At first, emergency services thought the incident involved a road accident. When our volunteers and security personnel arrived on the scene, it became clear that this was a shooting attack,” he added.
Hashem protect us.
Boruch Dayan Ha’emes. May H’ avenge his blood.
how can anybody think of releasing arabs from prison they are there for a reason!
BDE
Hashem Yinkom Domoi.
“The victim was identified as Meir Chai, a 45-year-old resident of the settlement and father of seven children ranging in age from two months to 18.”-As if to imply that being a Settler is different from being a Jew. Face it, he’s dead because he was a Jew. Israel, get it together. Ehud Barak- you encourage this. Hasham Yinkom Domoi.
heartbreaking!! hy”d.
Boruch Dayan Ha’emes. May H’ avenge his blood.
Hashem Yinkom Domoi.
May these terrorists witness a slow death of their childred, before they themselves die a slow a painful death.
How sad. Ad masei?
This 2 mnth old will never know its father. Achaka lo bchol yom sheyavo.
this is absolute heartbreaking, Hashem yishmor
That’s right israel just agree and release more prisoners. hope you’ll be their priority and only target.
HY”D
WITH TEARS IN MY EYES, i STILL SAY THAT UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS WE MUST TRY AND BRING HOME sCHALIT(NOTE UNDER RIGHT CONDITIONS). If Abbas was a real partner , they would assist in the investigation of this pure murder. No condemnation from anyone including der groiser Pres or state dept.
Where is the chuchem Netanyahu with a statement ? or the Tam from the manish tanna,
Barak? Where are all the rebbes and Litvishe geonim to protest this instead of separate concerts???
If 100,000 frum Jews showed up at the lavaua it would make a difference! H’Y”D The Arab is worried about 70 virgins , we are worried about 7 yesoymim!
The Israeli Govt got the answer right here,dont relase any palestinian prisoner with blood in there hands.
If 100,000 Yerushalayim and Bnei Brak Jews come out IN force and protest at the levaye peacefully. No govt officials should be allowed. All the Rebbes and rosh Yeshivas -where are they tommorrow? Going to the Mikva? We still , with broken hearts, must try and free Schalit! But we must state that whomever kills civillians will be buried in Pig skin, with no markings qand unknown area and does not deserve respect.
End of Game! The whole thing will change but Barak has no backbone except for Yeshivas of Hesder!
“The IDF…was coordinating with Palestinian security forces”
Does this seem like a fruitful endeavor?
Boruch dayan ha’emes. Why are we giving our enemies the upper hand???
Blessed is the True Judge. May G-d avenge his blood.