3 Police Officers Murdered Near Chevron, Including Father Of Oct. 7 Victim

Three Israeli police officers were murdered in a shooting attack at a vehicle at the Tarqumiyah checkpoint near Chevron on Sunday morning.

Initial reports of the attack said that at least three people in a vehicle were critically and seriously injured after they came under heavy fire from terrorists in a passing car.

MDA paramedics treated a man and a woman who were critically injured, and a man of about 60 who was seriously injured. Sadly, the man and woman were pronounced dead shortly later. Less than an hour later, the death of the third victim was pronounced.

The terrorists abandoned their car and fled the scene on foot following the attack. A large number of Israeli security forces have arrived at the area and launched a manhunt after the terrorists, including setting up roadblocks in the area.

The officers were identified on Sunday afternoon as:

First Sgt. Roni Shakuri, H’yd, 61, from Sderot, survived by his wife, a daughter and granddaughter. His daughter, First Sgt. Mor Shakuri, H’yd, was killed on October 7 fighting Hamas terrorists who took over the Sderot police station.

Command Sgt. Maj. Hadas Branch, H’yd, 53, from Sde Moshe. She left behind a husband, three children, and a granddaughter.

Chief Inspector Arik Ben Eliyahu, H”yd, 37, from Kiryat Yat, survived by his wife and three children.

Scene of the attack near Chevron. (MDA spokesperson)

The head of the Gush Etzion Council, Yaron Rosenthal, said: ‘Unfortunately, this morning too, we experienced a serious attack on a bus in the Tarqumiyah area, which joins the car bombings on Shabbos along with the explosive device that was detonated last week in eastern Gush Etzion. We must take preemptive action and launch an operation to cleanse the terror nests in the Hebron Governorate and the surrounding area.”

The Yesha Council issued a statement saying: “The serious attack on Tarqumiyah this morning is further evidence of the serious escalation that is taking place in Yehudah and Shomron. We reiterate: The war against Israel in Yehudah and Shomron is directed by Iran and must be treated accordingly. A war is being waged in Yehudah and Shormon. The Israeli government and IDF should act accordingly: the complete destruction of the terrorist infrastructure in Yehudah and Shomron. The din of Gaza is the din of Yehudah and Shomron.”