Baby born after attack dies
The baby boy born prematurely as a result of Sunday’s terrorist attack near Ofra died on Wednesday evening, after doctors in Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center fought to save his life for close to 72 hours.
A funeral for the baby – who was named Amiad Yisrael – was held late Wednesday night at the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem.
Earlier in the day, the baby’s parents, Shira and Amichai Ish-ran – hospitalized themselves for injuries sustained in the attack – visited the baby for the first time, a Shaare Zedek spokesperson said in a statement.
“The baby died embraced by his family’s love,” said Dr. Alona Ben Nun, who heads the hospital’s prenatal unit. “The baby received the maximal care possible but was not able to survive his injuries,” she said.
The young couple, married for less than a year, were standing at a bus stop and hitchhiking post along with five others injured in
the drive-by-shooting on Route 60 on Sunday night.
The baby’s mother was severely wounded in the abdomen and underwent emergency surgery for her wounds from 10 p.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.
Shira was 30 weeks pregnant, and the baby was removed during the surgery with the help of a C-section. Her husband, Amichai, was wounded in the leg.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: ”Our hearts are with Shira and Amichai over the passing of their fourday-old son, who did not even have a name.”
President Reuven Rivlin called the parents “true heroes,” and posted a poem, “The parable of the fledgling” by Eli Eliyahu, about a baby bird that falls from his nest and cannot be rescued.
“We are with you, embracing you, and will not rest until this despicable terrorism is uprooted,” he said.
Education Minister and Bayit Yehudi Party head Naftali Bennett wrote that the baby was “born out of fire.”
During the baby’s short time here he fought for his life, Bennett said. “The heart cries out.”
He said that: “Terrorists have stopped fearing us. Our lost deterrence must be restored – otherwise a wave of murders is on the way.”
Bennett said that statements are not enough, but rather “action is needed.”
US special envoy Jason Greenblatt wrote that the baby’s death was “absolutely heart-breaking.” He noted that Hamas had praised the attack, which came after the United Nations General Assembly refused to pass a resolution condemning terror attacks against Israel.
“The countries who raised the vote threshold at #UN for our resolution against Hamas – [or which] were absent, abstained or voted against our resolution to condemn Hamas – should absorb this news and understand their actions,” Greenblatt tweeted.
Among the first to tweet his condolences was the European Union Ambassador to Israel, Emanuele Giaufret.
“My thoughts are with all the victims,” he wrote. “My sincere condolences to the bereaved family.”
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nachshon wrote that the baby was a “victim of senseless Palestinian brutality. Our deepest condolences to the family. May his memory be forever blessed.” •