Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem issued an update Thursday morning on the condition of Neriya Leiter, the IDF reservist critically wounded in Wednesday's deadly ramming attack near Route 443. The hospital reported that his condition remains extremely grave and that his life is in imminent danger.
Neriya, son of Chani and Yechiel Leiter of the community of Eli in the Binyamin Regional Council, whose father currently serves as Israel's ambassador to the United States, is suffering from severe head trauma. He was evacuated from the scene of the attack unconscious, sedated and on a ventilator.
In an official statement released overnight, Shaare Zedek described the intensive efforts of medical teams to save his life: "After undergoing life-saving procedures in the trauma unit, Neriya underwent complex brain surgery lasting several hours alongside additional treatments. His condition remains extremely serious and his life is in danger."
Wednesday evening, moments before departing for a diplomatic visit to the United States, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the hospital to visit Neriya, support the family in person and monitor the medical treatment. Upon leaving the hospital, the prime minister issued an emotional appeal to the public to storm the gates of heaven and pray for his recovery.
The Leiter family also turned to the broader public with a request to increase Tehillim, accept good resolutions and pray for the complete and speedy recovery of their son Neriya Dov ben Chana among all the sick of the people of Israel.
