The victim of Wednesday’s stabbing attack in Gush Etzion has been identified as 30-year-old air force reserve captain Eliyav Gelman. Gelman, a resident of Karmei Tzur in Gush Etzion, was attacked by an Arab terrorist at a hitchhiking station at Gush Etzion Junction. When security forces opened fire on the Arab attacker, Gelman was struck by a stray bullet, fatally wounding him. Gelman was treated by MDA paramedics before being transported to Sha’arei Tzedek hospital in Jerusalem, where, after attempts to stabilize his condition, he was pronounced dead. The terrorist behind the attack is a resident of the village of Dura near Hevron. Security forces shot and neutralized the attacker, who is now listed in moderate condition. Gelman leaves behind his wife, Rinat, and two sons, Yair and Yoav. Eliyav Gelman Courtesy of the family Gelman grew up in Kiryat Arba and learned in the Mekor Haim yeshiva in Gush Etzion. For his mandatory army service, Gelman enlisted as a paratrooper. He later transferred to the air force for he served until recently. His brother Eyal noted how strongly he was connected with the Land of Israel, with the Jewish People, and with the Torah. Gush Etzion Regional Council chief Davidi Perl mourned the loss and called on the government to do more to protect Gush Etzion residents. "Your hearts are filled with this great pain. Eliyav was another victim in the war over Gush Etzion, a war that started decades ago and that sadly hasn't ended. We're together now with the family and with the residents of Karmei Tzur sharing in their pain. We're going to need to see what steps the Israeli government will do to change this situation."
