Ambassador's Son Wounded, Sister Gives Birth

"His Condition Is Stable but Critical, His Life Is Still in Danger"

Neriya underwent complex brain surgery Wednesday evening that lasted many hours. This morning, Prof. Alexander Yuskovich of Shaare Zedek Hospital provided an update: "After a series of tests and a series of surgeries, we can say that his condition is stable. The situation is still critical and his life is in danger, but we are full of hope."

Ambassador Leiter, who had been in New York preparing for the Prime Minister's visit to the United Nations, described the tense hours he spent on the flight to Israel. Speaking to the media at the hospital, he said: "I thank the senior staff treating our son Neriya. We feel we are in the best hands. The night was very complicated. When I took off from New York there was concern that I would board the plane without hope, and thank G-d the doctors succeeded in stabilizing his condition, though his life is still in danger."

The father spoke with immense pain about the bereavement that has already visited the family: "This experience is different from the night I received the knock on the door three years ago, after Moshe fell. He was killed on the spot, and there was no possibility of bringing him to a hospital and giving doctors a chance to save him. Here we have the opportunity to gather around Neriya's bed, to recite Psalms, and to mobilize the people of Israel to pray for his recovery. Neriya and Moshe grew up in the same room, they were best friends, and since Moshe's death, Neriya has been leading the family."

Joyful News Amid the Tragedy: A New Granddaughter Was Born

Within the pain and worry, the family also experienced a moment of light overnight. The ambassador's eldest daughter, Sarah, whose husband serves as a battalion commander in the Shaked Battalion in the reserves, came to the hospital Wednesday to visit her wounded brother while in advanced stages of pregnancy. The stress and anxiety took their toll, and Sarah, who was two weeks before her due date, experienced her water breaking during the visit.

She was hospitalized in a room near her brother and gave birth to a daughter during the night. Ambassador Leiter shared with emotion mixed with concern: "Now she is lying 40 meters from her brother in intensive care, with the baby."

"You Can't Get Used to It. He Chased Away Our Pain"

Earlier this morning, Neriya's mother Chani told IDF Radio about the difficult moments when she received the news: "His wife started crying when she came to tell me. She was in shock and at first thought it was an explosive device. You can't get used to it. We're still in shock. She keeps saying 'I can't believe this is happening to us.' She said she was so worried when he served in Lebanon, we didn't expect something like this to happen so close to home."

Chani described Neriya's special connection to the family since Moshe's death: "He so wanted to gather us all together, helped all of us and held our hand. He was amazing. He was in close contact with everyone, and anyone who needed help, he was always there. We cling to life."

Wednesday evening, moments before taking off for his diplomatic visit to the United States, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the hospital to visit Neriya, strengthen the family members, and follow the medical treatment. Upon leaving the hospital, the Prime Minister addressed the public with a request to storm the gates of heaven and pray for his recovery.

The public is asked to increase prayers for the complete recovery of the wounded: Neriya Dov ben Chana, among all the sick of Israel.