By Adam Moses

A Magen David Adom volunteer was the victim of a terror attack near Khavat Gilad in the West Bank this week.

Father of six children Rabbi Raziel Shevach was a resident of the Israeli settlement, which is home to 50 families.

Rabbi Shevach was murdered in a ‘drive-by’ attack on Route 60 that crosses the West Bank from North to South near Kavat Gilad.

A Palestinian terrorist reportedly fired 22 shots at the victims’ vehicle according to Yeshiva World News.

Magen David Adom confirmed the Rabbi was a first responder with the organistion and reported the incident by radio.

Following the call, the Rabbi Shevach called his wife to inform her he had been shot and should call the emergency services.

MDA responders rushed to the scene but Rabbi Shevach died from his injuries at Kfar Saba hospital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to the attack on Tuesday.
“I am conveying my deepest sorrow and sending condolences to the family of Raziel Shevach, who was murdered tonight by a loathsome terrorist,” Ynet reported.

“Security forces will do everything within their power to catch the despicable murderer and the State of Israel will bring him to justice.”

Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman gave orders yesterday to consider recognising KHavat Gilad as a legal settlement.

Hamas have not claimed responsibility but praised the attack as a “heroic action”, which Israel and the United States should have anticipated following President Trump’s Jerusalem declaration last month according Ynet.

IDF forces have stepped up its manhunt to locate the terrorists.

Road closures and security checks around the Nablus area have been instigated.

IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot surveyed the scene of the incident yesterday.

“The main focus at the moment is on locating and arresting the terror cell and preventing additional attacks alongside making preparations for continued operations in the area,” Ynet reported following overnight missions.

“A number of actions were decided upon in order to locate the terrorists who committed the shooting attack, including security checks upon entrances and exits to and from the city of Nablus and placing forces and security crossings across the city,” the army told YWN.
“Additional forces were called to the scene in order to complete missions in the area,” the military added in a statement.

An MDA spokesperson told YWN: “We received a report of the gunshots from a passing car on Highway 60 near Khavat Gilad in Samaria. Our EMTs and Paramedics, together with assistance from the IDF medical units in the area, responded and treated the injured person before transporting him to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba.”

Yedh Atid’s leader, Yair Lapid, tweeted: “A difficult night. The heart aches at the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevah. Israel stands strong in the face of terror and I have complete faith that the security services are doing everything to catch the terrorists responsible. My deepest condolences to his family.”

Rabbi Shevach’s funeral was scheduled to take place yesterday in Khavat Gilad.
Aside from his MDA role, he was a Talmid Chochom, Mohel, Shochet, Chevra Kaddisha member and a Magid Shiur.