Rachel Cohen and Aliza Reiss from the settlement of Kedumim were killed Monday in a shooting attack at al-Fundaq Junction, along with former resident Elad Winkelstein, local authorities confirmed.
The victims were shot by two terrorists from northern Samaria who fled the scene after the attack. The shooting occurred on a main road in the West Bank (Samaria).
Rachel Cohen, 73, was a retired educational counselor who is survived by her husband and five daughters. Her daughter Naomi described her as "a woman full of joy, kindness and positive energy" who was "always there for everyone."
In a tragic twist, Rachel Cohen had adopted the children of her close friend Rachel Gavish, who was murdered in a shooting attack in Elon Moreh 23 years ago.
Cohen, originally from Kiryat Motzkin, was a childhood friend of Rachel Kanner (later Gavish). Rachel Gavish, her husband David, their son Abraham, and her father Yitzhak Kanner were killed when a terrorist broke into their home in Elon Moreh during Passover 2002.
After that attack, Rachel Cohen and her husband Jacob, longtime residents of Elon Moreh, took in the Gavish children and moved with them to Kedumim.
Aliza Reiss, 70, also worked as an educational counselor and was remembered by Lapidim School in Karnei Shomron as "a legendary educational figure who guided thousands of students over the years." Her son Yair revealed they had been planning a surprise 70th birthday party for next week. "She was larger than life," he said, noting that she began university studies at age 40 "like Rabbi Akiva" and "never gave up."
Elad Winkelstein, a resident of Ein HaNatziv who previously served as Kedumim's security coordinator, leaves behind a wife and three children.
Uzal Vatik, head of the Kedumim Council, called for immediate action: "Kedumim suffered a severe blow this morning. The Israeli government must declare an emergency state in Judea and Samaria and launch a comprehensive war against this murderous enemy. The blood of our residents cannot be abandoned!"
Rachel was remembered as "a smiling woman who helped others with endless dedication," while Aliza was noted for her community service, including pushing to establish a new community guard framework after reaching retirement age from the Civil Guard.
"Our losses are painful," Vatik added, "but we will not break or weaken. We will continue to make Samaria flourish and build the land of Israel with great love."
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