According to the preliminary IDF investigation into the fatal shooting attack in Southern Hebron Hills on erev yomtov, a lone terrorist perpetrated the fatal attack. Police Chief Superintendent Baruch Mizrachi HY”D, who was traveling with his family to seder night in Kiryat Arba was murdered in the attack. His wife Hadas was injured.

IDF officials are not ruling out that a second terrorist played a hand in bringing the shooter to the scene. The attack occurred at about 18:00 on erev yomtov on a relatively straight stretch of road on Route 35 near the Tarkumiya Checkpoint and the village of Idna. The terrorist fired automatic bursts. Authorities report the attack was well planned and it appears the terrorist knew exactly what escape route he would take from the area.

The first vehicle escaped without injuries but the car carrying the Mizrachi family, the second vehicle to come under fire, was hit. A 9-year-old child was lightly injured in a third car that passed, the vehicle after the Mizrachi family, as the terrorist continued firing. He then fled the area.

The PA (Palestinian Authority) reported making one arrest but that person was released a few hours later. At present, the gunman remains at large.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)