18-year-old Sgt. Noa Lazar was killed in a terrorist attack while on duty at the Shuafat checkpoint in east Jerusalem on Saturday evening, the IDF announced Sunday morning.
"On my behalf and on behalf of the Israeli government, I send condolences to her family and friends."
Prime Minister Yair Lapid's condolences to Sgt. Lazar's loved ones
Lazar was originally from the northern town of Bat Hefer. She was a fighter in the IDF's Military Police Erez battalion. She was promoted posthumously from the rank of corporal to sergeant.
"You were a treasure," one friend wrote about her. "I cannot believe you are gone."
Israel's President, Prime Minister and Defense Minister all expressed their condolences on Sunday morning.
Funeral arrangements
Sgt. Lazar's funeral will be held on Monday, October 10 at 4 p.m. at the cemetery in Kfar Yona, according to the IDF Spokesperson's unit. The IDF also passed on the family's wishes to avoid media coverage of the funeral.
Statements of condolence
President Isaac Herzog released a statement saying that he "sends condolences to the bereaved family of the IDF soldier, the late Sergeant Noa Lazar, for whom the joy of the holiday turned into terrible grief. I pray for the recovery of the injured from the shooting attack in Jerusalem.
שולח תנחומים למשפחתה האבלה של לוחמת צה״ל, סמל נועה לזר ז״ל ששמחת החג הפכה עבורם לאבל נורא ומתפלל להחלמת הפצוע מפיגוע הירי בירושלים.אף מחבל נתעב לא ישבור את רוחנו. נילחם בטרור ונמשיך לבנות את חיינו ולשמור על שגרת החגים. סומכים על צה״ל ועל כוחות הבטחון. pic.twitter.com/pR20DYtPE6
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) October 9, 2022
"No vile terrorist will break our spirit. We will fight terrorism and continue to build our lives and maintain the holiday season. We trust the IDF and the security forces."
Prime Minister Yair Lapid wrote on Twitter that, "with a broken heart I received the news of the death of an IDF soldier, Sergeant Noa Lazar from the Erez Battalion, who was murdered in a shooting attack by a vile terrorist. On my behalf and on behalf of the Israeli government, I send condolences to her family and friends.
בלב שבור קיבלתי את ההודעה על מותה של לוחמת צה״ל, סמל נועה לזר מגדוד ארז, שנרצחה בפיגוע ירי על ידי מחבל מתועב. בשמי ובשם ממשלת ישראל אני שולח ניחומים למשפחתה וחבריה, אין מילים שיכולות להקל על האובדן הגדול. לא נשקוט ולא ננוח עד שנמצה את הדין עם הרוצחים הנתעבים. יהי זכרה ברוך. pic.twitter.com/CjbBaNdVTW
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) October 9, 2022
"There are no words that can ease the great loss. We will not be silent or rest until we have found the terrible murderers. May her memory be a blessing."
צער עמוק על נפילתה של לוחמת צה״ל סמל נועה לזר בפיגוע במעבר שועפט. אני מאחל רפואה שלמה לפצועים. המאבק בטרור יימשך בכל הגזרות ובכל העוצמה הנדרשת. נשים את ידינו על המחבל המתועב ועל כל מי שסייע לו. pic.twitter.com/TUFHM87lyu
— בני גנץ - Benny Gantz (@gantzbe) October 9, 2022
Defense Minister Benny Gantz wrote that he felt "deep sorrow over the death of IDF fighter Sergeant Noa Lazar in the attack at the Shuafat crossing. I wish a full recovery for the injured. The fight against terrorism will continue in all sectors and with all required intensity. We will catch the abominable terrorist and everyone who helped him."
The details of the attack
The shooter arrived at the checkpoint in a vehicle belonging to a stranger - the driver was under the impression that he was taking a hitchhiker to Modi'in. When the car stopped at the checkpoint, the alleged hitchhiker fired seven rounds until his gun jammed. He then fled on foot.
לאחר הפיגוע בירושלים: זיקוקים והפרות סדר במחנה הפליטים שועפאט | תיעודhttps://t.co/MuecK4wh0u@SuleimanMas1 pic.twitter.com/f0DBW2pqGY
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 8, 2022
The driver turned himself in and was determined not to have been intentionally involved in the attack.
MDA medics Akiva Ehrlich and Arali Levi were among the first to arrive on the scene. They told KAN: "We arrived with the ambulance when it was still an active shooting scene and began to treat the wounded. We bent down and pulled the wounded towards us, got them to the ambulance, and evacuated them to the hospital."