Israeli couple shot dead by Palestinian gunmen leaving four orphaned children

An Israeli couple have been shot by gunmen while travelling in the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

Eiran and Naama Henkin were driving between the Jewish settlements of Itamar and Elon Moreh with their four children last night when they were shot by Palestinian gunmen.

Tensions in occupied West Bank have escalated in recent days after Palestinian men under 50 were denied access to Temple Mount which contains al-Aqsa mosque, one of Islam's holiest sites Reuters

"Palestinian terrorists opened fire on an Israeli family car, killing both parents," said Ofir Gendelman, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Luckily, their four kids, now orphans, were unharmed."

British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis condemned the attack.

"With a deep sense of shock and great pain, we mourn the senseless and brutal murder of Rabbi Eitam and Naama Henkin in the presence of their four young children," he said.

"We grieve alongside Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbanit Chana Henkin and all of their family. At this time of immense tragedy, we redouble our prayers for peace and security in the region."

However Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group who control the Gaza strip, praised the attack as a "heroic operation carried out by resistance fighters in the West Bank".

article,article,article,article Related

"We bless the killing of settlers in the West Bank," Husam Badram, a spokesman for Hamas said.

"We call on our people in the West Bank to carry out more quality operations like the [one] today.

"This is the only solution which is supported by the masses of our people everywhere."

The shooting came only hours after Netanyahu told the UN General Assembly in New York he was ready to re-start peace negotiations "immediately" but that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was not interested.

However Abbas had previously told the UN the Palestinian Authority no longer felt bound by agreements with Israel because they were "continually violated" by Israel's refusal to stop settlement activities or release Palestinian prisoners as agreed.

Tensions in the West Bank have been particularly high recently over access to Temple Mount which lies in occupied Palestinian territory and is sacred to both Jews and Muslims.

related articles
Jerusalem\'s Temple Mount: Why it\'s such a flashpoint for Jews and Muslims
Jerusalem's Temple Mount: Why it's such a flashpoint for Jews and Muslims

Jerusalem's Temple Mount: Why it's such a flashpoint for Jews and Muslims

Israeli police clash with Palestinians across West Bank
Israeli police clash with Palestinians across West Bank

Israeli police clash with Palestinians across West Bank

Why the Palestinian flag will fly at the UN today, and why Israel is against it
Why the Palestinian flag will fly at the UN today, and why Israel is against it

Why the Palestinian flag will fly at the UN today, and why Israel is against it

Israel undermines US peace effort, Palestinian Abbas tells UN
Israel undermines US peace effort, Palestinian Abbas tells UN

Israel undermines US peace effort, Palestinian Abbas tells UN

News
17,000 turn out for Franklin Graham event in London
17,000 turn out for Franklin Graham event in London

Graham preached a message about God's love but also expressed his concerns that the world seemed to be "one step closer to Armageddon".

Over 20 Christians killed in suicide bombing of church in Syria
Over 20 Christians killed in suicide bombing of church in Syria

At least 22 Christians have been killed and dozens more injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a church in Syria. 

'I just think it's all wrong,' police officer tells street evangelists
'I just think it's all wrong,' police officer tells street evangelists

A police officer has been filmed confronting a pair of Christians in London for street preaching.

Churches play 'significant but often overlooked role' in helping refugees to integrate - report
Churches play 'significant but often overlooked role' in helping refugees to integrate - report

"Despite providing key frontline services and serving as an essential safety net, churches often remain isolated from strategic partnerships."