A pregnant Israeli woman has been shot and killed in what Israeli authorities say was a terrorist attack.
Tzeela Gez, 30, was being driven to a hospital by her husband Hananel to give birth when a gunman opened fire on their car near their home in Bruchin. Mrs Gez was critically wounded while Mr Gez was lightly wounded.
Doctors performed an emergency caesarean section and delivered the baby in a serious but stable condition. But they were unable to save Mrs Gez’s life.
The Israeli military said its forces were pursuing the gunman.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “deeply shocked by the horrific attack in Bruchin against a pregnant woman and her husband, while they were making their way to the delivery room”.
“This despicable event reflects exactly the difference between us – those who cherish and bring life – and the despicable terrorists whose life’s goal is to kill us and cut off lives,” he added.
Defence minister Israel Katz said he had ordered the Israeli military to “identify the origin of the attackers and respond with maximum force”.
There was no immediate claim from any Palestinian armed groups, but Hamas praised the attack as a “heroic” response to Israel’s “escalating crimes and ongoing aggression against our people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank”.
