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PARDES HANNA, Israel — Yahli Gur, a 17-year-old girl critically injured in a car-ramming terror attack near Pardes Hanna last week, succumbed to her wounds on Wednesday evening, hospital officials confirmed. The attack, which took place at a bus stop at the Karkur junction, left 13 others injured, including two seriously.
Gur was rushed to Hillel Yaffe Hospital in critical condition following the incident. Despite extensive medical efforts, she did not survive. Her death was announced by Pardes Hanna-Karkur Mayor Yoni Hakimi, who expressed profound sorrow on social media.
“This evening we said goodbye with deep sorrow to the late Yahli Gur, 17, a resident of our community who was critically injured in the car-ramming attack at Karkur junction six days ago,” Hakimi wrote on Facebook.
Gur, a resident of Pardes Hanna, was the eldest of four siblings and attended high school in the nearby city of Harish. She was also a leader of the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement’s Harish branch.
Lior Levitan, the principal of her school, described her as a promising student who was studying philosophy. “She was a wonderful young woman with a bright future ahead of her,” Levitan told Haaretz.
Harish Mayor Yitzhak Keshet offered condolences to Gur’s family, stating, “On behalf of all Harish residents, I send a hug and condolences to her family during this difficult time. All of Harish grieves with you.”
In addition to Gur, a 60-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman sustained serious head injuries in the attack, while an 18-year-old was moderately injured, according to Magen David Adom emergency services. The other victims suffered light injuries.
The attacker, identified as Jamil Zayoud, a 53-year-old Palestinian from Jenin, fled the scene in his vehicle but was quickly pursued by police.
According to police reports, Zayoud, who had been living illegally in Ma’ale Iron with his Arab Israeli wife, drove his car into a nearby police vehicle after hitting the pedestrians.
Police chief Daniel Levy stated that after crashing into the patrol car, Zayoud exited his vehicle armed with a screwdriver and attempted to stab officers. Police then opened fire, killing him at the scene.
While no group claimed responsibility for the attack, Hamas praised the incident. The attack is the latest in a series of violent episodes that have heightened tensions in the region in recent months.
Israeli security officials are investigating the attack as a lone-wolf operation but have not ruled out potential affiliations with militant groups. Security has been increased in the area, with authorities urging citizens to remain vigilant.
Gur’s funeral is expected to take place in the coming days, with her community preparing to mourn the loss of a young life taken too soon.