Noam Raz, a veteran counterterrorism officer was killed in an Israeli operation near the West Bank city of Jenin on Friday, the Israel Police confirmed.
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Raz, 47, was mortally wounded when Palestinian terrorists opened fire on Israeli troops during a raid in the city, a known Islamic Jihad stronghold. He was airlifted to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa where doctors spared no effort to save his life, but to no avail.
Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai described Raz, a warrant officer with 23 years on the force as part of the force's elite counterterrorism unit, as one of the best police officers on the force.
"We bow our heads in the memory of Noam Raz, killed today [Friday] in a clash with terrorists," Shabtai said in a statement. "Noam was a dedicated husband, an exemplary father, and one of the best fighters in the Israel Police. Heroism and values were inherent in his character and operational activity in the Yamam," he said, using the Hebrew acronym for the counterterrorism unit.
Shabtai further revealed that Raz, a paramedic with the CTU, saved the life of an officer who was seriously wounded during a recent previous clash in Jenin.
According to available details, Raz was wounded when IDF, police and Shin Bet security agency forces were operating in Burqin, in the Jenin area. The Israeli troops surrounded the home of a known PIJ member and when they called him out the answer came in the form of heavy gunfire.
The Islamic Jihad later identified the man as Mohammad al-Dabi, as a member of the al-Quds Brigades, the PIJ's military wing.
In a press briefing on Friday afternoon, a senior officer with the IDF Central Command described the gunfight as "indescribable."
Israeli troops were in position for over three hours, taking heavy fire from multiple directions, he said.
"Thousands of bullets were fired at us. I've been in the army for more than 20 years and I have never seen anything like it."
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a statement of condolences to the family.
"During his 23 years of service in the unit, Warrant Officer Noam Raz participated in numerous counterterrorism operations, risking his life to save others with courage and humility, as his commanders would testify. Israel has lost a hero."
President Isaac Herzog sent his "heartfelt condolences to the grieving family," also noting the Raz had "participated in numerous special operations and saved many lives."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz also offered his condolences to the family and vowed that Israel's security forces "will continue to fight terrorists, those who send them, their accomplices, and anyone who attempts to harm Israelis."
Public Security Minister Omer Barlev described Raz as "one of the many anonymous heroes that have chosen to dedicate their lives to Israel's security and to whom we are all indebted."
He, too, pledged to "continue fighting terrorism with determination and force. We will hunt down terrorists and all those who wish us harm, anywhere and at any time and we will get them, dead or alive."
Raz was among the founders of Kida, a settlement in Samaria. The Mateh Binyamin Regional Council issued a statement saying he was "a pillar of his community; a humble, beloved family man who was connected to the Land of Israel with every fiber of his being. The residents of Binyamin send their condolences to the family during this difficult time."
Raz is survived by his wife and six children.
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