Reservist son of U.S. ambassador seriously injured in West Bank car-ramming attack
American citizen Neria Leiter, son of Israel's U.S. ambassador, was critically wounded after a Palestinian attacker rammed a police vehicle at the Maccabim checkpoint; the assailant was killed by Israeli forces.
A car-ramming attack on Wednesday at the Maccabim ("Bell") checkpoint in the West Bank seriously injured Neria Leiter, a reservist and the son of Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter. The 29-year-old Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier was taken to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he remains in serious condition under sedation.
The attacker, identified as 29-year-old Muhammad Mahmoud Suleiman of Beit Ur al-Tahta, struck a police patrol vehicle belonging to the Judea and Samaria District that was carrying an officer and a soldier as part of a joint operation. IDF troops on the scene shot and killed Suleiman as he attempted to flee.
United Hatzalah paramedics, assisted by IDF medical teams, provided initial treatment at the scene, including respiratory support and life-saving medication, before transporting the victim to the hospital. Highway 443 between the checkpoint and Beit Horon was closed in both directions following the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences on social media, stating that he and his wife were praying for a recovery. Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and other senior officials also offered support to the Leiter family. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israel's UN ambassador Danny Danon posted messages of solidarity.
The attack follows a separate incident earlier in the day in the Hebron Hills, where two Palestinians attempted to run over a farm owner who then fired at them, wounding one suspect.
Israeli authorities said the incident underscores ongoing security challenges in the area and reiterated a commitment to respond to terrorism with force.