[Video below.] Dramatic new video footage has surfaced documenting the bloody conclusion of the terrorist massacre in Har Nof, Israel’s Ch. 2 News reported.
The clip, filmed by Ruth Malul from an apartment house window across the parking lot from the synagogue in Har Nof, chronicles the first moments of the event, until Israeli police killed both terrorists after they tried to flee the compound.
The two, residents of east Jerusalem, and members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, killed four rabbis at prayer and a police officer and wounded over a dozen others.
In the clip, officer Zidan Sayif is first seen at the bottom of the steps at the entrance to the building, taking cover behind a pillar and firing repeatedly at one of the terrorists.
Then, one of the terrorists is seen running down the steps towards Zidan, and shooting the Druze officer at point-blank range, leading to severe injury and his collapse.
The first attacker was apparently hit by Sayif’s return fire, since he is immediately seen falling near a parked car, and was later shot by other police officers who arrived on the scene moments later.
The second terrorist, who ran out after the first waving a bloody meat cleaver in his hand, was shot by two or three policemen as he came down the steps.
The scene of the synagogue attack in Jerusalem where four rabbis were killed on Nov. 18. Photo: GPO.
The scene of the synagogue attack in Jerusalem where four rabbis were killed on Nov. 18. Photo: GPO.
In the video, shots were heard after his collapse, apparently fired by police to confirm the killer was dead.
A victim of the Jerusalem synagogue massacre. Photo: IDF Spokesperson Peter Lerner.
After it was clear that the two were dead, medics at the scene were able to evacuate the critically injured police officer to Hadassah-Ein Kerem Hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds.
Jerusalem synagogue attack. Israel Police officer Zidan Sayif. Photo: Family.
Jerusalem synagogue attack. Israel Police officer Zidan Sayif. Photo: Family.
Only after the shooting ended were rescuers able to enter the sanctuary and provide first aid to the worshipers, and assess the extent of the massacre.
Sayif later died in hospital of a bullet wound to the head, and was buried in his Galilee village of Yanouh-Jatt on Wednesday.
President Reuven Rivlin, Israel’s Chief Rabbi, government and Knesset members, thousands of local residents, and Israelis from across the country attended the service, with hundreds of the mourners coming from Har Nof to pay their last respects to the fallen officer.
Rivlin eulogized Sayif at his funeral.
“Terrorism does not distinguish between people, between blood and blood. The terrorists turned a synagogue into a slaughterhouse,” Rivlin said.
“Zidan, among the guardians of Jerusalem, heard what was happening, did not hesitate or delay, and was among the first to run towards the flames of hatred and hostility,” Rivlin said.
“Zidan bravely faced down the terrorists; he acted out the values for which he stood and was educated in: love, courage, brotherhood. He fell to save Jerusalem,” Rivlin concluded.
Watch the dramatic footage of the firefight at the entrance to the shul:
{Matzav.com Israel}
