Israeli mother of six killed in Palestinian stabbing attack in Otniel
A 38-year-old Israeli mother of six was murdered in a terrorist stabbing attack at her home in the community of Otniel in the southern Hebron Hills on Sunday.
Victim of terror Dafna Meir and her husband, Nathan. Credit: Courtesy Meir family.
(Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org)
A Palestinian terrorist attacked Dafna Meir at the entrance to her house, where she struggled with him until he overpowered her in the kitchen. Meir’s 17-year-old daughter, who heard her screams, ran to her aid, only to see the terrorist stab her mother again and again.
The terrorist fled the scene, and Israeli security forces were still hunting for him as of Monday. Police investigators believe that the terrorist, who worked at a construction site in Otniel, left the community after the attack. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot toured the scene on Monday and was briefed on the investigation.
The attack occurred at 5:30 p.m. while Meir was painting the front door of her house. Three of her six children were inside the house, playing in the basement. The terrorist pounced on her and began stabbing her repeatedly in the head. She screamed and tried to fight him off. During the struggle, the terrorist chased Meir into the kitchen. She continued trying to fight him off until her strength gave out.
Renana, the eldest child, heard the screams and ran upstairs to see what was happening. To her horror, she saw the terrorist stabbing her mother. She later recounted that the terrorist had tried to pull the knife out of her mother, who was already dead, to continue stabbing the rest of the family. But her screams prompted him to flee.
Meir was laid to rest in Jerusalem on Monday.
“The entire Jewish people grieves with you,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, addressing the Meir family. “I spoke last night with Hebron Hills Regional Council Chairman Yohai Damari and I asked him to tell the residents to be strong. I told him that we would strengthen the communities. Whoever tries to harm us, we will bring him to justice.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “The abhorrent terrorist who murdered Dafna Meir, who – along with her husband – raised six children, will be caught. I would like to send my condolences to Natan and the children, to the entire family. The entire Jewish People grieves with you. I spoke last night with Hebron Hills Regional Council Chairman Yohai Damari and I asked him to tell the residents to be strong. I told him that we would strengthen the communities. Whoever tries to harm us, we will bring him to justice. In the end he will be found and he will pay the full price.”
President Reuven Rivlin spoke with the Har Hevron Regional Council and offered his support. He requested he convey his concern and sympathies to all the residents of the community. The President also asked to be updated on anyway in which he could help. He said, “This is a horrific tragedy, and I am with you with all of my heart. This is shocking and terrible. At this time of grief, disbelief, and pain, I am sure you are focused on doing all that is needed in order to help the family and all the residents of the community.”
Todah rabah for this beautiful little article – have just saved 4 articles from the Times of Israel, on this horrendous event. Cowardly cowardly and more cowardly!
This act is heart rending, terrible, for the good life taken and the ramifications for husband and children. Dafna Meir will be irreplaceable for them. Such cowardice and mindless violence.