Palestinian terrorists murdered a pregnant Israeli mother of three on her way to the hospital to deliver her fourth child. Her husband was also injured in the terror attack and the newborn baby is fighting for his life in the hospital.
By Rachel Avraham
Tze’elah Gez, a pregnant woman and the mother of three, who was a resident of the Bruchin community, was brutally murdered Wednesday night in a deadly terror attack on the road between Peduel and Bruchin in Samaria, Israel Hayom reported. According to the report, Tze’elah and her husband Hananel were on their way to the delivery room when attackers opened fire on their vehicle. She suffered critical wounds and despite intensive medical efforts, doctors were unable to save her life, Israel Hayom noted.
MDA Paramedic Erez Fogel, one of the first to arrive at the scene, told Arutz Sheva: “We left from a nearby community with the ambulance and quickly arrived at the scene. We saw a private vehicle on the side of the road with bullet markings. Inside the vehicle was the driver, a woman in her 30s, unconscious with severe gunshot injuries. In the seat next to the driver was a male around 40 years old, fully conscious, also suffering from gunshot wounds. He was trying to treat the injured woman next to him and attempted to stop her bleeding. We got both of them out of the car and provided medical treatment. We loaded the female into the mobile intensive care unit and evacuated her to the hospital while performing resuscitation efforts, as her condition was critical. The male was evacuated in another intensive care ambulance, fully conscious, in serious condition.”
Doctors at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus in Petah Tikva attempted to save her life but declared her dead on Thursday morning, the Jerusalem Post reported. According to the report, they conducted an emergency Caesarean section to save her unborn child. According to Israel Hayom, hospital staff continue fighting to save the baby’s life after performing an emergency delivery. The baby boy was transferred to Schneider Children’s Medical Center for Israel in Petah Tikva in “serious but stable” condition, the hospital said, the Jerusalem Post reported. According to the report, Gez’s husband, Hannael, 40, was lightly wounded and released from the hospital on Thursday morning.
Tragically, about a year ago, Israel Hayom reported that Gez, who worked as a motor therapist, expressed her feelings of vulnerability in a social media post, writing, “It’s an unsafe period. The feeling that nowhere is protected, yet we continue to go out, work, live. What helps you leave home and not avoid going out?” Gez was a well-known and respected therapist in the area and had been volunteering in her community to help residents cope with trauma following the October 7 massacre, Shaked Fors, Gez’s sister, told Ynet.
“She was the best – a powerful, radiant presence with a big smile,” she said. “There are no words to describe how extraordinary she was.” Gez’s pregnancy had been difficult, but she had remained strong, Fors said, the Jerusalem Post reported. “She fought so hard. She never stopped smiling, always gave strength to those around her, and was always there for others.”
At her funeral, her husband, Hananel, eulogized her, Arutz Sheva reported: “You were the light of my life, the greatest gift I ever received. I stand here torn, but I thank God for the 11 years I merited to be with you. You were a woman of endless compassion, a true heroine. You dedicated your life to healing souls and always said it was a matter of life and death.”
“You raised three sweet children with love, devotion, and warmth,” he added. “We almost had another baby together. I need to ask your forgiveness for not always doing my utmost. I could have supported you more, respected you more. I want to tell Am Yisrael that we are in deep pain. I want to tell our precious son, born an orphan, that I love you, my sweet. Your mother waited for you so much. Her pregnancy was very difficult, and she did everything so you could grow up in peace and calm.”
According to the report, Tze’ela’s younger sister, Shaked, shared: “I want to apologize because no words I say can describe you. There are no words to express the pain and the immense void you’ve left behind. Every second I wait for you to walk through the door and stand beside me. My sister, my dear, love of my heart. So much can be said, and so much cannot be said. You were so special, always striving to make everything better for everyone.”
According to Israel Hayom, President Isaac Herzog shared his condolences, writing, “The murder of Tze’elah Gez, on her way to the delivery room, is a heinous act of terror that chills every heart. At the very moment of life – a life was cruelly taken. My heart is with the grieving family and with all her loved ones who are deeply shocked. We are all praying now for the well-being of the baby and for the recovery of her wounded husband Hananel. Terror will not defeat the Israeli spirit. We will pursue terror everywhere, and we will not rest. May her memory be blessed!”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was deeply shocked by the terrorist attack, the Jerusalem Post reported. “This despicable event reflects exactly the difference between us and the vile terrorists whose goal in life is to kill us,” he said Thursday morning. “I trust that the security forces, even in this case, will quickly apprehend the murderers and bring them to justice, along with everyone who helped them.”
Photo from CBN News: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UfIYxR_xic
