British-Israeli mother killed in West Bank assault

 

Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem has confirmed that Lucy Dee, also known by her Hebrew name Leah Dee, has died on Monday morning despite efforts to save her life. She was one of three women shot at while driving in the Jordan Valley in the northern West Bank on their way to a family holiday.

 

According to Israeli media reports, the women’s vehicle crashed after being fired upon by gunmen who then approached the car and opened fire at close range. Investigators have reportedly found 22 bullet casings from a Kalashnikov assault rifle at the scene.

 

Lucy’s husband, Rabbi Dee, was reportedly driving ahead in a separate car and received a call about the attack while on the road. He attempted to contact his wife and daughters but received no answer. Upon seeing pictures of the attacked car online and recognizing one of their suitcases, he rushed to the scene where emergency services were already present.

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences to the Dee family on Twitter, calling the attack a “severe terror attack in the [Jordan] valley.” The Radlett United Synagogue in Hertfordshire, UK, where the family belonged, issued a statement expressing its devastation at the news of Lucy and her daughters’ deaths.

 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched a hunt for the perpetrators of the attack, which occurred during a time of heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinians. The international community has also expressed its condolences and condemnation of the attack. 

 

 

 

According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, investigators found 22 bullet casings, believed to be from a Kalashnikov assault rifle, at the scene. Lucy’s husband, Rabbi Dee, was driving in a separate car and learned of the attack when someone called him. He tried to contact his wife and daughters but received no response. Upon seeing pictures of the attacked car online, he recognized one of their suitcases on the back seat.

 

Emergency services were already at the scene near the settlement of Hamra when Rabbi Dee arrived. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered his condolences to the Dee family, tweeting that he was “heartbroken” by the news of Lucy’s death in the terror attack.

 

The Radlett United Synagogue In Hertfordshire, to which the Dee family belonged, issued a statement expressing the community’s devastation upon hearing of the tragic news. The community described Lucy and her daughters’ deaths as a loss to the world, but stated that their light could never be extinguished.

 

In response to the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a search for the perpetrators. The attack comes during a period of escalating tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.