According to Israel national news reports, Ella revealed that Gideon frequently expressed his fear of being attacked from behind by a terrorist wielding a hammer—precisely the manner in which he died. In an interview with Ynet, Ella shared her husband's sentiments, saying, "He always said: 'We shouldn't be afraid in our own country.' He believed that if anyone should be afraid, it should be them, not us."
She continued, "He had no problem working with Palestinians and cared deeply about their work and conditions. But he always emphasized, 'As long as they're afraid of us, not us of them.' I shouldn’t have to worry about driving my car or locking my doors to keep terrorists out. It shouldn’t happen here, in the central region, the north, or the south."
Ella also spoke about how their children are coping with the loss. "They are okay with their friends, but not so much when they go to bed. What can you say to children who lost their father in such a brutal way to people who care only about killing Jews? It was someone who knew him. How do you explain to a child that their father died because he was a Jew?"
When asked if Gideon knew the Palestinian laborers at the factory, Ella recounted, "He used to say, 'I never turn my back on them. No matter how loyal a worker might be, they could decide to turn on me and hit me with a hammer.' He said it in those exact words. I can't explain how, on that day, the terrorist was behind him while Gideon was walking in front."
Gideon Peri, 38, from Kedumim, left behind a wife, three children, parents, and siblings. He worked as a manager in the industrial zone where he was murdered.
The attack occurred between two factories in an open area. Peri was escorting workers when the terrorist struck him with a hammer, critically injuring him. Despite being rushed to Beilinson Hospital and undergoing emergency treatment, he succumbed to his injuries.
The following day, IDF forces conducted operations in the village of Beqa, part of the Efraim Brigade, and mapped the home of the terrorist responsible for Gideon's death.
