Conflict & Security
Ramming attack near Ramallah wounds son of Israel's US ambassador; attacker killed
September 23, 2026 at 06:26 PM · Updated 23d ago
Coverage
6 reports · over 4 hours
A ramming attack at a West Bank checkpoint has seriously wounded the son of Israel's ambassador to the United States, and Israeli forces killed the attacker.
- A Palestinian driver rammed his car into an Israeli police vehicle near Beit Horon on Route 443 west of Ramallah on Wednesday, and Israeli forces shot and killed the attacker.
- The wounded soldier, Niria Leiter, son of Israel's US ambassador Yehiel Leiter, was seriously injured and taken to Shaare Zedek hospital.
- Ambassador Leiter, who traveled to Israel after the attack, thanked the army and hospital staff working to save his son's life.
- Hamas called the attack a "natural response" to settler actions and urged the escalation of resistance.
- Israeli forces identified the Palestinian attacker as 29-year-old Mahmoud Suleiman.
- The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed Suleiman's death and said his body was being withheld.
- Israeli forces imposed closures in the area and raided the attacker's home.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara are praying for a miracle to save the ambassador's son's life.
- Ambassador Leiter publicly appealed for prayers for his son Neria, who remains hospitalized in critical condition in Jerusalem.




