A retired Israel Defense Forces (IDF) colonel was murdered in a suspected terrorist attack outside of his home Thursday night.
Two men wielding iron bars and axes attacked Sariya Ofer and his wife outside their home in the northern Jordan valley. Ofer’s wife was able to flee and was transported to a hospital by a passing driver.
Sariya Ofer commanded IDF forces in the Gaza Strip and founded the air force’s Shaldag special forces unit. Israel Hayom reports:
The IDF detained several possible suspects who were handed over to the Shin Bet security agency for further questioning, Israel Radio reported Friday. Deputy Defense Minister MK Danny Danon told the radio station that Israel must reconsider its willingness to engage in peace talks with the Palestinians in light of Thursday night's attack. Danon added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should rethink his pledge to release Palestinian prisoners to facilitate the talks (a phased release of 104 prisoners was part of the deal that allowed talks to resume). "The attack last night adds to a series of troubling incidents," Danon said.
President Shimon Peres also commented on the attack, saying Ofer served his country honorably. Army Radio reported that Peres also sent his condolences to the family and called the attack "horrific."
The attack took place in Brosh Habika, a vacation village run by the couple that is located on the site of a former Nahal outpost around five kilometers south of Shadmot Mehola.