A 13-year-old girl from Kiryat Arba was murdered early this morning by a 17-year-old Palestinian terrorist, who jumped a security fence surrounding the town, broke into her home and stabbed her repeatedly while she was asleep in her bedroom.
Hallel Yaffa Ariel was rushed unconscious and without a pulse to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem with multiple stab wounds to her upper body. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, she was pronounced dead soon after arriving at the hospital.
A security guard who rushed to the girl’s aid was reported in moderate condition after being stabbed by Muhammad Nasser Tarayrah, from the nearby Arab village of Bani Na’im. The terrorist was shot and killed by first responders.
“Like all adolescents during summer vacation, my daughter was asleep—tranquil, calm—and a terrorist came in and murdered her in her bed,” Rena Ariel told reporters outside the hospital.
Hallel’s aunt said her niece was “the most amazing girl in the world,” and that she was sleeping in after taking part in a dance performance the night before.
Thousands Mourn at Funeral
Thousands of mourners from throughout Israel traveled to Hebron on just a few hours notice to attend the young teen’s funeral.
Rina Ariel had urged the public to come to Kiryat Arba to provide moral and physical support to the family.
“We invite everyone to come and help, to console; there are vineyards which need help, there are Jews here who need strengthening. We are strong, and we won’t break, but we need your help to continue and to build here.”
Hallel’s father, Amichai, said he and his daughter were scheduled to spend time together at his winery that morning, filling bottles with wine.
“She worked very hard for years to become a dancer. She put so much effort into everything she did. G‑d gave her a great mind, lots of wisdom. She was so bright.
“Hallel loved living here, loved the place,” he continued. “She wasn’t afraid of anyone. Just think about who they killed: an innocent little girl.”
Hours after the murder, two people were stabbed in Netanya by a 46-year-old from the Tulkarm area in Samaria. The terrorist was shot dead by police. One of the victims is in serious condition; the other remains in moderate condition.
Hallel Ariel’s murder brings the total of Israelis killed in terrorist attacks since last October to 34, with four foreign nationals also killed during this period.
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