Neria Leiter, an American citizen and IDF reservist and the son of Israel's ambassador to the U.S., was critically wounded in a car-ramming attack at the Maccabim (Bell) checkpoint on Route 443. Troops at the scene shot and killed the attacker, identified as Muhammad Mahmoud Suleiman, 29. Neria is sedated and in serious condition at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli and U.S. officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, offered prayers and public support; the family previously lost another son in Gaza in 2023.
Son of Israel's U.S. Ambassador Critically Wounded in Maccabim Checkpoint Car-Ramming; Attacker Shot Dead
Neria Leiter. (photo credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)
Neria Leiter, an American citizen and IDF reservist who is the son of Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, was critically wounded in a car-ramming attack at the Maccabim (Bell) checkpoint on Route 443 near Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut on Wednesday. He is sedated and in serious condition at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
Attack and Immediate Response
Israel Police said the assailant deliberately struck a Judea and Samaria District police patrol vehicle that was participating in a joint security operation alongside IDF troops. An officer and a soldier were inside the vehicle at the time.
Troops at the scene shot and killed the attacker as he attempted to flee. Authorities identified him as Muhammad Mahmoud Suleiman, 29, a resident of Beit Ur al-Tahta.
Medical Treatment
United Hatzalah paramedics Itzik Kara and Netanel Cohen said their dispatch center sent teams to the Bell checkpoint and that they worked with IDF medical teams to provide life-saving care on site, including respiratory support, emergency medications, bandaging and splinting, before transferring the wounded soldier to hospital in serious condition.
United Hatzalah medical teams at the scene of a terror attack at the Maccabim checkpoint, September 23, 2026. (credit: UNITED HATZALAH)
Family Background and Reactions
The Leiters have suffered a recent family tragedy: in 2023 Yechiel Leiter's older son, Maj. (res.) Moshe Yedidya, was killed in Gaza while serving as a company commander in the 551st Brigade's 697th Battalion. Yechiel Leiter, who had been returning to Israel from the United States and canceled plans to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations General Assembly, posted on X that he is grateful to the medical teams and believes in the power of prayer.
I am grateful to the IDF and to the medical team at Shaare Zedek who are now fighting to save the life of Neria Dov ben Chana. I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe that when the people of Israel unite, miracles happen. Neria needs a miracle.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara said they are praying for a miracle. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, and senior Israeli ministers including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat, and Consul General Ofir Akunis in New York publicly offered support to the family.
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan said the council and local community will assist the family and urged a firm response to restore deterrence, while praising the security forces on the front lines.
Related Incident
Earlier the same day, reports said two Palestinians attempted to run over a farm owner in the Hebron Hills. The farmer fired at the suspects under the suspect arrest procedure, wounding one in the leg. IDF troops were deployed and the incident remains under review, according to N12 News.
Avi Ashkenazi contributed to this report.
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