Staff Sgt. Ido Baruch, 21, eulogized by Israeli leaders, those who knew him; PM Lapid vows security forces will catch ‘despicable terrorist.’
A soldier killed in a shooting attack Tuesday near the northern West Bank settlement of Shavei Shomron was eulogized by Israeli leaders and those that knew him, as security forces hunted for the culprits.
The Israel Defense Forces said the soldier, Staff Sgt. Ido Baruch, was seriously hurt and taken by ambulance to Meir Medical Center, where he was later declared dead.
Baruch, a 21-year-old from the central town of Gedera, served in the Givati infantry’s brigade reconnaissance unit. Tali, a close friend of Baruch’s mother, remembered him as a “magical child full of love, values and generosity.”
“I had the privilege to work with him at a few events and saw how he made children happy. It is impossible to stop the tears and describe the pain.”
A former teacher of Baruch’s told the Walla news site: “Everyone who knew him, loved him.”
“He always volunteered, always was socially active, an excellent student and a magical person.” President Isaac Herzog said he grieved with Baruch’s family.
“We will keep fighting terror without compromise. I trust and back the Israeli security forces and pray for quieter times,” he tweeted.
Prime Minister Yair Lapid called the gunman involved in the attack a “despicable terrorist” and sent his condolences to Baruch’s family and friends.
“Words can’t express the sorrow and great pain. We will not stop until we put our hands on the murderers,” Lapid said.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz vowed that security forces would capture the Palestinian gunman.
“I would like to send my condolences to the family,” Gantz said on Twitter. “The chase continues during these hours. We will put our hands on the terrorist and those who aided him.”
He also vowed Israel’s anti-terror operations in the West Bank would “continue and intensify in order to provide security to the citizens of Israel.”
Read More: www.timesofisrael.com