"I Am Shattered to Pieces": Two Teens Killed on Their Way Home from the Kotel
Shira Naim, 16, and Aharon Peretz, 18, pronounced dead at scene · Eight others wounded, three seriously
Shira Naim, a 16-year-old student from Moshav Sdeh Uziyahu, and Aharon Peretz, an 18-year-old yeshiva student from Ashdod, were killed late Wednesday night in a devastating road accident on Highway 7 near the Sorek interchange. The two were among a group of young people returning home after prayers at the Western Wall and a trip to Jerusalem.
According to initial police assessments, the driver of the minibus carrying the group struck a truck parked on the shoulder of the highway at high speed. Emergency teams rushed to the scene but were unable to save the two, both were pronounced dead at the site due to the severity of their injuries.
The wounded
Eight others were injured and evacuated to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot and Assuta Hospital in Ashdod. Three were in serious condition, though doctors stabilized them by morning. The remaining five sustained moderate to light injuries and are receiving treatment.
"My heart. I am shattered to pieces."
Shira's mother, Keren, published a heartbreaking statement this morning: "My child, my heart - I am shattered to pieces."
The management of Amit Yagel Yeshiva, where Aharon was a 12th-grade student, announced: "With great sorrow, difficult news this morning. Our beloved student Aharon Peretz from grade 12 was killed in a serious accident last night on Highway 7. Three additional students were also involved. they were injured but, thank God, are recovering. We will pray for their full and speedy recovery."
