Infant of Terror Victim Tzeela Gez Dies After Two Weeks in Hospital

 Jerusalem | Thursday — The newborn son of Tzeela Gez, who was fatally wounded in a Palestinian terror attack in the northern West Bank earlier this month, passed away late Wednesday night after 15 days of intensive medical care. The announcement was made jointly by the Samaria Regional Council and Schneider Children’s Medical Center.

Gez, 30, was shot on the night of May 14 while her husband, Hananel, was driving her from their home in the Bruchin settlement to the hospital to give birth. The attack occurred near the Palestinian town of Bruqin, where a gunman opened fire on Israeli motorists. Tzeela sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where doctors delivered her baby by emergency cesarean section. She succumbed to her injuries the following morning.

The infant, named Ravid Haim in accordance with his late mother’s wishes, was born in serious condition and transferred to Schneider Children’s Hospital for advanced neonatal care. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, the hospital confirmed on Thursday morning that the child had died overnight.

“With deep sorrow, we announce that the baby Ravid Haim, born under tragic circumstances following a terror attack in Samaria, has passed away,” read a statement from Schneider Children’s. “Despite intensive efforts in the neonatal ICU, the hospital was forced to declare his death.”

The funeral is scheduled for later today in Jerusalem.

The death of Ravid Haim has sparked an outpouring of grief across Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed profound sorrow, saying:

“There are no words to console the murder of a newborn baby along with his mother. The heroism of the pioneering settlers in Judea and Samaria — their courage and self-sacrifice — will prevail over our enemies.”

President Isaac Herzog, who had spoken with Hananel Gez last week, described him as “a true Israeli hero,” and offered heartfelt condolences:

“My deepest condolences to Hananel and his family on the death of baby Ravid Haim, taken from the womb of his mother, Tzeela, who was murdered on her way to the delivery room. The entire nation embraces you and shares your grief.”

Meital Ben Yosef, head of the Bruchin community, added:

“A child who was to enter this world in joy and expectation fought for his life for two weeks — and is now mourned by an entire community.”

Israeli security forces later tracked down the terrorist, Naael Samarah, a Hamas operative with a prior prison record, and fatally shot him during a search operation in the Bruqin area. Samarah reportedly charged at soldiers while shouting “Allahu Akbar,” carrying a backpack containing an assault rifle and other equipment used in the attack.

Several additional suspects have been detained, including the alleged leader of the terror cell believed to be behind the shooting.

The tragic deaths of Tzeela Gez and her newborn have underscored the ongoing volatility in the region and intensified national discussions around security and resilience in Judea and Samaria.