The baby who was delivered prematurely after his mother was critically wounded in a shooting attack at the Ofra Junction on Sunday has died, Shaare Tzedek Medical Center announced on Wednesday.
“We regretfully announce the death of Shira and Amichai’s child four days after the attack, despite the efforts of the medical doctors to save him,” the hospital said in a statement.
At the funeral, the baby’s grandfather said that Jewish law requires a baby to be named before burial. “Your parents chose to name you “Amiad Yisrael,” meaning “our nation will stay here forever.” He added, “there weren’t too many people that were able to reunite our nation like what you did.”
At press time, sources were reporting that the alleged terrorist had been killed in a shootout in a village north of Ramallah. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack from its official Twitter account. The two passengers in the
alleged terrorist’s car who also participated in the attack were also reportedly in custody.
Shira Ish-Ran was shot in the lower abdomen. Doctors were forced to perform a c-section to deliver her child at 30 weeks. Both mother and child fought for their lives over the week. The child’s father, Amichai, was shot three times in the attack and sustained injuries to his legs, but was not in mortal danger from his wounds.
Shira’s condition had improved and she had been asking about her baby. A few hours before he died, she was able to see her child for the first time.
Israeli ministers reacted with sorrow to the news of the child’s passing.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett stated: “A Jewish baby who has not yet been named has been murdered. Palestinian terrorists shot an unborn child; and he was born out of the fire. His short life was spent in the struggle for his life. Our hearts are with Amichai and Shira. The heart cries out.”
“This is the low-life murder carried out by terrorists who have stopped being afraid of us. The lost deterrence must be restored. Otherwise a wave of murders is on the way. Not by declarations, by deeds,” he added.
Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon wrote: “Only bloodthirsty terrorists are capable of murdering a child in his mother’s womb. We embrace and comfort Shira and Amichai and wish them full recovery. We trust the IDF and Shin Bet security service to quickly apprehend the murderers. They will not defeat us!”
Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel wrote: “Baruch Dayan Haemet (a blessing traditionally stated after hearing news of a death). The baby whose mother was seriously injured in the attack at the Ofra junction passed away. I visited them at the beginning of the week and prayed for his safety.”
“The attack was carried out by terrible torturers. The murderers must be apprehended, their homes demolished, and Ofra should be organized as soon as possible. Consolation will come with the building of the land.”
Science and Technology Minister Ophir Akunis stated: “”How cruel, base, and inhumane can a two-legged animal be to shoot a pregnant woman? These are our Palestinian ‘neighbors,’ who send out such vermin like the terrorist who sang songs at the entrance to Ofra. My condolences to Shira and Amichai Ish-Ran for the terrible loss of their four-day-old baby. And when we know who this abominable culprit is, the entire family that raised such a murderer must be expelled from their home, without the Supreme Court and without B’Tselem.”
The Elon Moreh municipality, where Shira and Amichai lived, expressed its shock and sadness at the loss of one of its newest residents.
“The Elon Moreh municipality embraces the residents of the settlement of Shira and Amichai Ish-Ran during their difficult time. We are shocked and hurt and call upon the prime minister and the defense minister to strengthen deterrence against terrorism and at the same time to cut off our enemy’s hopes by strengthening our hold on Elon Moreh and settling in Judea and Samaria.”
By Gary Willig/Arutz Sheva and combined sources
