Two Weeks After His Mother’s Murder, Newborn Ravid Chaim Gez Dies
Tzeela Gez, a 30-year-old mother of three, was murdered on May 14 in a terror attack in Israel while en route to the hospital to give birth to her fourth child.
She and her husband, Chananel, were traveling from their community of Bruchin in Shomron (Samaria) when a Palestinian gunman with a history of terror activity and ties to Hamas opened fire on vehicles along Route 446. Tzeela was critically wounded in the attack, while her husband sustained moderate injuries.
IDF soldiers and medical personnel swiftly arrived at the scene and rushed the young family to Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, where they successfully delivered the baby boy while they worked to save the young mother’s life. Tragically, her death was announced that evening.
The baby was listed in serious but stable condition and transferred to Schneider Children’s Medical Center for specialized care. Last week, the Gez family announced that the baby had been named Ravid Chaim, following Tzeela’s wishes for his name to be Ravid and adding on Chaim as a blessing for life.
Devastatingly, the infant passed away on Wednesday evening after fighting to live for 15 days. The baby was laid to rest in Jerusalem on Thursday.
At the heartbreaking funeral, Chananel Gez said it was time for Ravid Chaim to go back to his mother, and spoke of the unbreakable spirit of the Jewish people and their belief in G‑d.
After the service, surrounded by grieving family, friends and strangers, he began singing Hamalach HaGoel, a blessing found in the Book of Bereishit that is sung by parents to their children that they should be protected by angels and the Patriarchs from all evil.
