Family of Israeli woman murdered while giving birth donates organs

(JNS) — The family of Tzeela Gez, 30, who was killed in a Palestinian terrorist attack in Samaria while on her way to deliver her baby on May 14, has decided to donate her organs.

Gez’s corneas will be transplanted, one for a youngster at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petach Tikvah, and one for a patient at Rabin Medical Center’s Beilinson Hospital in the same city, Arutz 7 reported.

Her husband, Hananel Gez, who sustained light wounds in the shooting attack outside the couple’s community of Bruchin, said: “Tzeela always brought light during her life, and now even after her death, she continues to give.

“We made sure she gave the gift of a positive eye to two people,” the bereaved husband said. “Tzeela always tried to see the good and bring light to the world—in life and in death.”

Israeli security forces apprehended several suspects in the search for the terrorist who shot the Gezes.

“As part of the IDF and Shin Bet manhunt for the terrorist who carried out the shooting attack …, IDF soldiers, guided by the Shin Bet, carried out targeted searches in the village of Bruqin, near the scene of the attack,” the Israeli military said on Saturday.

The baby was delivered in the hospital. The newborn is listed in serious but stable condition. Gez’s sister told reporters that the boy remained sedated at Schneider Children’s Medical Center.

“He was without oxygen for a long time—some 50 minutes—from the moment Tzeela was murdered until he was delivered,” Lotem Sasson told Arutz 7. “Some of the breathing tubes have already been removed, but he is still sedated. I am really hoping to hear better news today.

“Tzeela has four children who will grow up without a mother, who was so amazing. I was always trying to learn from her how to be a mother. No one can take her place,” Sasson said.

Palestinian terrorists targeted Israeli Jews in Judea and Samaria at least 6,343 times in 2024, according to figures published by the Rescuers Without Borders (Hatzalah Judea and Samaria) NGO on Feb. 17.

Twenty-seven Israelis were murdered in Judea and Samaria in 2024, and more than 300 others were wounded, the group said in its annual report.