Slain Infant Ravid Chaim Gez Laid to Rest Beside Mother Murdered in Terror Attack

In one of the most heartbreaking moments in Israel’s ongoing struggle against terrorism, infant Ravid Chaim Gez was laid to rest Thursday evening beside his mother, Tzeela Gez, at Jerusalem’s Har HaMenuchot Cemetery. The newborn passed away earlier that day from wounds sustained in the same Palestinian terror attack that claimed his mother’s life two weeks prior.

Tzeela, pregnant and on her way to the hospital with her husband Hananel, was ambushed by a terrorist in Samaria. She succumbed to her wounds shortly after emergency responders managed to deliver her baby by C-section. The child, suffering from severe oxygen deprivation, remained in critical condition until his passing.

At the funeral, mourners gathered not only to grieve, but to demand justice and decisive action. Hananel Gez, now a bereaved husband and father, issued an emotional plea to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Don’t listen to the European Union, to the whole world not even to Trump,” he said. “No country would allow these animals, who murder women on their way to the delivery room, to remain alive.”

Calling for the expulsion of terrorists from Judea and Samaria, Hananel urged a halt to negotiations with Hamas and a complete stop to humanitarian aid to Gaza. “They murdered my wife because she was Jewish,” he cried. “Even in the pain, it is God. He gave us Tzeela and Ravid and chose to take them.”

Before the burial, Ravid Chaim was circumcised in a rare and poignant ritual performed by his grandfather, a rabbi who had traveled to Israel for the anticipated birth. Due to the infant’s condition, the circumcision could not occur on the traditional eighth day.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, stood before the mourners and addressed the nation: “Ravid Chaim, you are not only the holy child of your mother Tzeela and your dear father Hananel, you will forever be a holy child of the entire people of Israel.”

Dagan also issued a solemn vow: “We will not break. We will never break. We will establish a new community in your names Ravid Chaim and Tzeela so that your light not only does not fade but shines even brighter through settlement, love, and goodness.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his sorrow: “There are no words that can comfort the murder of a newborn baby along with his mother. The heroism of the pioneers of settlement in Judea and Samaria, and their dedication, is what will defeat all our enemies. Earth does not cover their blood.”

About a week after the shooting, the IDF eliminated the terrorist responsible, Nael Samara, in a counter-terrorism operation near the Gez family’s hometown. While justice was served, the pain lingers and the memory of Tzeela and Ravid Chaim now lives on not only in grief, but in purpose.

Let their memory be a light. Share their story. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on Israel’s heroes and the enduring strength of its people.