An Israeli couple were gunned down in front of their children after their car came under fire from Palestinian terrorists, BreakingIsrael News reported.
Eitam and Naama Henkin, parents to four children, and residents of Neria, north of Ramallah, were shot dead around 9 p.m. on Thursday last week while the family was driving between Itamar and Elon Moreh communities, near the Palestinian village of Beir Furik.
"As the car slowed before making a turn, a Palestinian vehicle accelerated towards the Henkin's, opening fire on the family with a rifle and handgun,'' said the report.
Investigators said the couple were struck in their upper bodies multiple times. They were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Their children luckily survived the attack with no scratch.
Naama was killed instantly while Eitam managed to step out of the vehicle, open the back door of the car, and ordered his children to flee the scene. He then collapsed on the road and died, said BreakingIsrael.
Investigators also said the terrorists had stopped their vehicle alongside the Henkin's to confirm the attack. The report said: "One terrorist stepped out, walked over to the car and confirmed that both parents were dead. He then returned to the vehicle, which was seen fleeing towards a nearby Palestinian village.''
The Jerusalem Post reported that the gunman had also opened fire on civilians between the West Bank settlements of Alon More and Itamar before fleeing the scene.
The Hamas terror group later claimed responsibility for the attack and praised the "heroic" act by its members. The group also called for "more high-quality" attacks against Israelis.
"The Zionists will pay the price for Netanyahu's criminal policy in every place," the group said in a statement.
Security officials immediately launched a massive manhunt in search of the terrorists.
Reacting to the shooting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who was in New York at that time to attend the UN General Assembly meeting—called the attack a "cruel and disgusting murder." He placed the blame on recent Palestinian incitement.
"This is a difficult day for the State of Israel. We witnessed an especially cruel and disgusting murder during which a couple was killed. Parents were killed and their children left orphans. Our heart goes out to the children," Netanyahu told reporters from his Manhattan hotel, following his speech to the UN General Assembly.
Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon said the murderous attack "is a clear continuation of the incitement against the State of Israel and its civilians, and repeated attempts to carry out terror attacks."
"The war against terrorism requires determination from us, a steel hand, and patience. We are fighting against a blood-thirsty relentless enemy, and with great sorrow we sometimes absorb losses on the way. At this time, the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) are pursuing the murderers. We will pursue them and we will not be silent until we place our hands on the murderers, and those who sent them," he said.
