Neria Leiter, 24, has logged 220 days of reserve duty since the October 7 conflict, serving on multiple fronts.
The ramming unfolded at a checkpoint near Beit Horon when a Palestinian driver, identified as Mahmoud Suleiman, forced his car into the barrier, striking Neria’s chest and arm.
Israeli forces shot the driver dead as he tried to flee the scene; additional troops were deployed along the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv corridor to close gaps.
Leiter posted on X that his son “needs a miracle” and thanked the IDF and Shaare Zedek medical team. President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu also sent messages of support.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions after the Gaza war and just before Leiter’s trip to New York for the UN General Assembly, where the Iran war is set to dominate discussions.
Leiter’s family is awaiting a surgical decision, while Israeli security agencies plan more checkpoints to curb future attacks.