JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The names of the two young sisters murdered in Friday’s shooting attack in the Jordan Valley have been announced, as their mother who was also injured in the attack remains in very grave condition.
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20-year-old Maya and 16-year Rina Dee HyD were residents of Efrat who had immigrated from Britain. Maya was doing her national service in Yerucham. The two were travelling in a car with their mother when terrorists opened fire on their vehicle, shooting 22 bullets at the car and killing both sisters. Their mother, 48-year-old Leah Bas Tzipora (Lucy), was rushed by helicopter to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in critical condition and remains in very serious life-threatening condition after undergoing an operation in the hospital Friday.
The father of the girls and their siblings who were travelling ahead in another car were uninjured but heard the shooting and returned to the scene to treat their family members.
Efrat residents gather to mourn murdered sisters Maya and Rina HyD, 4.8.23
An army spokesperson said the attack had occurred near the Israeli town of Hamra, and that the IDF had launched a manhunt for the terrorists responsible for the shooting. As of Saturday night the terrorists had not yet been apprehended.
“Following the reports of a shooting attack at the Hamra Junction, a report was received regarding a car accident between a Palestinian and an Israeli vehicle. IDF soldiers who were dispatched to the scene located numerous bullet hits on the Israeli vehicle, indicating that the accident was in fact a shooting attack.”
“As a result, three Israeli women were injured, two of them were killed. IDF soldiers are blocking routes adjacent to the scene of the shooting attack, a pursuit after the terrorists has begun.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that “in the name of Israel’s citizens I wish to send condolences to the family from Efrat over the murder of the wonderful sisters, Rina and Maya of blessed memory, in the harsh terrorist attack in the Jordan valley. At this time the mother of the family is fighting for her life and together with all the Jewish nation I pray for her welfare and we all send condolences and strength to the dear family at the time of their heavy grief.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that “my heart breaks to see the smiles of the sisters Maya and Rina who were murdered by a foul terrorist. I pray with all the Jewish nation for the mother’s recovery and offer strength to the family in its difficult hour.”