The son of Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, was critically injured in a vehicle ramming attack on Wednesday at a West Bank checkpoint. Leiter confirmed on X that Neria Dev ben Chana was being treated at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem and requires significant medical support.
Neria Dev ben Chana serves as an Israeli reserve soldier and was stationed at a checkpoint near the Beit Horon settlement when the attack occurred, allegedly carried out by Palestinian driver Muhammad Mahmoud Suleiman. The 29-year-old Suleiman was shot and killed at the scene, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which was cited by CNN, the first outlet to report the incident.
This attack follows a series of violent incidents since the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur on Monday. Just days prior, Netanel Shukrun, an Israeli father of six, was shot and killed at the Neve Tzuf settlement in the West Bank.
IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated to CNN that the IDF is on high alert and has deployed additional soldiers across all sectors to address threats and protect Israeli citizens.
Yechiel Leiter expressed his belief in the power of prayer, stating, "I believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen." He noted that Neria continued to serve in the reserves after the death of his older brother, Moshe, who was killed during the Gaza war in 2023.
Leiter commented, "Palestinian terrorism aims to uproot the people of Israel from its land. They choose death—we choose life." US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also expressed support on X, stating, "Pray for Yechiel Leiter & entire family. They lost a son in Gaza, killed by Hamas. Now a Palestinian terrorist attempts to murder IDF soldiers at a checkpoint. Standing with Yechiel Leiter."