An 18-year-old female IDF soldier, Noa Lazar, was killed Saturday night in a terrorist attack on a border checkpoint near the Shuafat refugee camp'. Lazar served as a corporal in the Military Police and specialized in border patrol as part of the Erez Battalion, she was promoted to the rank of sergeant posthumously.
In the attack, another guard was critically wounded and his condition continues to deteriorate. He was operated on by a neurosurgical team at Hadassah Hospital overnight, and in the early hours of Sunday morning, he was admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit, sedated, and on ventilation.
SGT Noa Lazar was killed in a shooting attack at the Shu’afat checkpoint last night while protecting her country.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 9, 2022
She was 18 years old.
SGT Lazar served in the Erez Battalion of the Military Police. After her death, she was promoted from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant.
🕯 pic.twitter.com/lF9BJJ3NbD
The hunt for the terrorist, a 22-year-old from East Jerusalem, continues, with the focus of the search in and around the Shuafat neighborhood, often called a 'refugee camp' by international media despite the fact that over 50 years have passed since Israel's reunification of Jerusalem. Clashes between rioters and the security forces have been taking place in the neighborhood since the attack last night. The police noted that so far three suspects, residents of Beit Hanina, Shuafat, and the Anata 'refugee camp', all in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the attack.
Overwhelmingly terrible news to wake up to this morning. 18-year-old Corporal Noa Lazar has succumbed to her wounds following last night's shooting attack at Shuafat Checkpoint, north of Jerusalem. Security forces are pursuing the terrorist perpetrator of this.
— Jonny Gould’s Jewish State podcast🎙פודקאסט (@jonnygouldpod) October 9, 2022
18-years-old.
The head of the Emek Hefer Regional Council from where Noa Lazer lived, Galit Shaul, said: "It's a difficult and painful morning in Emek Hefer. Noa, from the village of Bat Hefer, who went to the Ben Gurion Educational campus, chose to serve as a fighter in the army and contribute her best to the country. The entire council shares in the grief of her beloved family and hugs them on this terrible day. In the council and in the settlement of Bat Hefer, events are held during these hours in order to support family and friends, and to help them as much as necessary."
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog sent his condolences to Lazar's family, adding that "no despicable terrorist will break our spirit. We will fight terrorism and continue to build our lives and maintain the holiday routine."
18-year-old Noa Lazar was murdered here in Jerusalem last night while on guard duty as a soldier defending her country. Jubilant Palestinians in Gaza and Jenin distributed sweets as competing terrorist groups claimed credit for the attack. Bravo to 🇬🇧 Ambassador for speaking out: https://t.co/1VjUsyxMfa pic.twitter.com/TV5sQDNUmQ
— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) October 9, 2022
Prime Minister Yair Lapid said that "with a broken heart I received the news of the death of Sergeant Noa Lazar from the Erez Battalion, who was murdered in a shooting attack by a despicable terrorist. On my behalf and on behalf of the Israeli government, I send condolences to her family and friends. We will not be silent or rest until we have brought the killers to Justice."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also expressed his sorrow, adding that "the fight against terrorism will continue in all forms and with all the necessary intensity. We will put our hands on the abominable terrorist and all who helped him."
Sgt. Noa Lazar, an 18-year old security officer at checkpoint protecting women and children in Jerusalem, was killed by a Palestinian terrorist last night. Our heartfelt condolences to her family. pic.twitter.com/RvPtxy0OWk
— حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) October 9, 2022
As mentioned, rioters clashed with the security forces in Shuafat immediately after the attack. Shortly after the shooting, fireworks were shot into the air in the camp, and videos circulated on Palestinian social networks noting that "the camp is happy." The scene was reminiscent of the celebrations in East Jerusalem after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. After the Twin Towers fell fireworks were set off and candy was handed out in an event that was well documented.
Palestinians celebrating the fall of the twin towers and the radical left wonders why were gonna #BuildThatWall Believe me this is exactly why Trump ran in the first place. He was blocks away from the 911 disaster when it happened. It’s very personal to him. pic.twitter.com/uJF9v2JH7M
— GENE🔑 (@Gene33133486) April 14, 2019
The police blocked highway number 1 by the Ammunition Hill area in Jerusalem as part of the search for the terrorist. Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrived at the scene with the Minister of Internal Security Amir Bar-Lev. The security forces were called to reinforce the area and the police launched a man-hunt.