Counter terrorism police and security forces are carrying out a manhunt for terrorist Ashraf Walid Suleiman Na’alwa who murdered two Israelis at Alon recycling factory in the Barkan industrial zone.
Border Police special unit Yamam, the elite Duvdevan unit, Lotar unit, IDF Oketz unit, Shin Bet forces, Central Command and West Bank Brigade soldiers took part in the search following the terror incident at the West Bank workplace sited some 25 km east of Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Na’alwa, from the village of Shweiki near Tulkarem, shot dead Kim Levengrond Yehezkel and Ziv Hagbi.
Another Israeli was wounded in a horrific attack.
An outpouring of grief followed as hundreds of mourners attended funerals of the 28-year-old mum from Rosh HaAyin and 35-year old father of three from Rishon LeZion.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said both were brutally murdered.
“The security forces are in pursuit of the assailant,” he commented.
“I am certain that they will apprehend him and we will deal with him to the fullest extent of the law.”
President Reuven Rivlin added, “I’m appalled and distressed by the horrible terror attack.
“My heart goes out to the victim’s families and I pray for the recovery of the woman who survived.”
He added, “This was an attack against the idea of Israelis and Palestinian coexisting, and living peacefully side by side.
“I call upon the Palestinian leadership to condemn this despicable terror attack and to join the efforts of finding the assailant and his accomplices.
“We will not rest until the law is exhausted with the perpetrators.”
Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said it would be “only a matter of time” before the killer was apprehended.
According to official sources, there was no prior intelligence regarding a terror attack.
Several residents of Shweiki were arrested an IDF spokesperson confirmed.
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot toured the factory prior to strengthening IDF forces in the area following a situation evaluation.
Hamas described the attack as a “new chapter in our resistance in the West Bank”.
Education Minister, Naftali Bennett, lambasted the terror group.
“In the face of this terrible tragedy, Hamas is handing out candies and Mahmoud Abbas is taking care of payments (to the terrorist). We must stop this celebration,” he said.
“The State of Israel is committed to its citizens; the entire nation sends its condolences to the families.”
Yehezkel is survived by husband Guy and son Kai.
She was laid to rest at Rosh HaAyin cemetery.
Minister of Communications, Ayob Kara, attended the funeral on behalf of the government to express condolences.
“I’m sorry I was not there with you,” Kim’s father said during his eulogy.
“I promise you that Guy and Kai will have everything they need. I’ll take care of them the same way I used to take care of you. You can rest in peace.”
Kim’s husband, Guy, said his wife will never be forgotten by either him or their son.
“We will raise our Kai just as you wanted, and you will always remain my best friend,” he said.
“Kim always had a smile on her face, she was sweet and loving,” Kim’s aunt, Yehudit, added.
“Momentarily, the skies shattered, but Kim will always be with us. I am angry. Someone has to answer for this, and fast. Parents shouldn’t bury their children.”
Hagbi, 35, was buried at a southern Moshav of Nir Yisrael.
Ziv’s heartbroken mother, Iris Hagbi, said her son had worked at the factory for six months in the aftermath of the killings.
“The terrorist’s family should suffer,” she added.
“He shortened the lives of the people there. He should be killed.”
Na’alwa, who worked as an electrician at the factory, hid his M-16 rifle under clothes and apparently showed security his work permit.
After shooting Yehezkel, he fatally shot Hagbi.
Footage from security cameras show the Palestinian escaping the scene.
The terrorist’s house will reportedly be demolished.
Barkan industrial zone is viewed as a place for joint Israeli and Palestinian economic success.
Located on Route 5 close to Rosh HaAyin, over 100 factories provide work for both sides of the Green Line with good working conditions and social benefits.
Shomron Regional Council, located in the zone, bridges Jews and Arabs.
Yossi Dagan, head of Shomron Regional Council, described the attack as “a serious security incident.”
54-year-old factory worker Sarah Vettori was injured and feared she would be killed.