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Scottish Sun
25-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Our son saved pals by throwing back 7 Hamas grenades before 8th killed him…but he left us final heartbreaking message
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE parents of a British-Israeli soldier who sacrificed his life in the October 7 atrocity found a heartbreaking final message in his unreleased music. Brave Aner Shapira, 22, heroically threw back seven live grenades hurled into a bomb shelter by callous Hamas fighters in a bid to save his friends. 7 Aner Shapira, right, with dad Moshe Credit: Family Handout 7 Brave Aner positioned himself in the doorway of the shelter to throw grenades out Credit: Family Handout 7 Shocking footage showed Hamas terrorists repeatedly hurling grenades into the shelter Credit: X/Israel 7 Aner, front left, with his siblings and parents Credit: Family Handout Heart-stopping footage showed the off-duty soldier, dressed in a t-shirt and sandals, lobbing grenades out of the shelter he and 26 terrified others were hiding in. Tragically, the eighth device exploded and killed the fearless off-duty soldier. His resilient parents, dad Moshe and mum Shira, said they were not surprised by his courageous act. They first heard about their son's heroics from two people who survived the barbaric October 7 attack thanks to Aner. Proud dad Moshe said: "We got a phone call from a girl, a survivor, and said said 'I want to tell you, due to Aner, I'm alive. Your son is a hero'. "When the videos of the grenades came out and went viral, people told us it's amazing what he did. "But nobody [his friends, family, colleagues] was surprised. "Since he was a small child, it was obvious that was his spirit." Shira added: "He always took a stand. When he saw something was not right, he would come and feel like it was his own business to make it better. "He acted like that, and he also wrote about it." Israeli military says it began extensive ground operations in northern and southern Gaza Keen pianist Aner, who grew up in the quiet south Jerusalem neighbourhood of Talpiot, fell in love with music at an early age. Aner, the eldest of seven children, later explored rap and hip-hop, often singing about social justice and unity. After his death, his parents found a catalogue of music that was published as an album - Looking for Love - to mark what would have been his 24th birthday. In one song, they found a poignant final message from the IDF Staff Sergeant. Moshe said: "Whenever people ask us about Aner, they want us to tell them about the last half an hour of his life, the battle, the shelter, what happened with the grenades. "But we insist on looking at his whole life." Shira added: "He found the best way for him to combine his love for music and his love of his principals, his values, his composing, singing and recording his music. "We have more than 60 songs that he left expressing his values and his way of life, and he wanted to publish his album, but he didn't have the chance. 7 An album of Aner's music has been released to mark what would have been his 24th birthday Credit: Family Handout 7 Harrowing scenes showed hundreds fleeing the Nova music festival Credit: Twitter Gaza offensive puts hostages 'in danger' by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital), in Paris ISRAEL'S new offensive in Gaza hinders bringing the remaining hostages home and puts them in "immediate danger", a former diplomat has warned. Ex-Israeli ambassador Daniel Shek questioned the point of the latest ground operation against Hamas as he insisted the military is now "going around in circles". Earlier this year, there was a glimmer of hope as both the terror group and Israel laid down their arms and 33 hostages - 25 alive - were released. But Shek said the three-phase plan failed to reach its second phase as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition partners vowed they would leave if it did - collapsing the government. Now Israel risks sanctions from the UK and France after launching a renewed ground offensive just after Donald Trump left the region without fixing a ceasefire deal. Speaking exclusively to The Sun in Paris, Shek warned the fresh operation - dubbed Gideon's Chariots - has a "two-fold danger" for those still captive. His call for the Israeli government to prioritise returning the hostages through diplomatic means before crushing Hamas was echoed by Shoshan Haran, who was kidnapped by terrorists. READ MORE HERE "So we released it for his birthday. "In one of his songs, he's saying 'if something happens to me, if I'm dead, publish my album'." Talented Aner was enjoying the Nova music festival in southern Israel with a close group of friends when it was stormed by gun-toting Hamas terrorists. As rocket fire rang out, Aner - the grandson of the late Israeli lawmaker Haim Moshe Shapira - and his pals rushed to a roadside bomb shelter next to kibbutz Re'im. Aner bravely positioned himself in the doorway to protect the other 26 hiding inside as brutal fighters bombarded the shelter with grenades. He throw them out one by one before the eighth killed him. Of those inside, 16 were murdered and four others were kidnapped by merciless Hamas militants. The four hostages taken were Aner's best friend Hersh Goldberg-Polin who lost his arm in the attack before being murdered in Gaza. Eliya Cohen and Or Levy have been released, while another victim, Eynav, was killed. 7
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Israeli embassy gunman Elias Rodriguez faces death penalty after ‘firing 21 shots & reloading as victims crawled away'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE man suspected of shooting dead two Israeli embassy officials in Washington fired 21 shots and reloaded as his wounded victims crawled away, according to court documents. Elias Rodriguez, 31, appeared in court yesterday charged with murder - and could face the death penalty if convicted. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The chilling moment suspected Israeli embassy shooter Elias Rodriguez screams 'free Palestine' after gunning down a young couple Credit: X/PhoenixTV 9 Israeli embassy victimsYaron Lischinsky Sarah Milgrim Credit: Family Handout 9 Mourners lights candles during a vigil outside of the White House to remember the pair Credit: Getty 9 The Chicago native was caught on camera unloading several rounds into Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, after pacing outside the Capital Jewish Museum, according to the arrest affidavit. The pair collapsed after being shot but the gunman continued his onslaught, the document says. Footage shows him looming over the couple, already ragged by bullets, and firing at them again, charging documents show. Rodriguez allegedly then pursued Milgrim as she tried to escape and finished her off. read more on the shooting 'SHOOTER' CHARGED Israeli embassy 'gunman' charged with murder after 'shooting dead' couple He was seen reloading his weapon before again opening fire at the desperate woman. Rodriguez unloaded at least 21 shots during the cold-blooded slaughter, according to police sources, using a high-end German-design H&K 9mm pistol, reports the Post. It's unclear how many times each victim was shot. Footage shows Rodriguez shouting "free Palestine" as he is hauled out of the Capital Jewish Museum in handcuffs. He had been ushered inside alongside civilians in the confusion following the shooting. The suspect appeared in federal court in Washington on Thursday facing charges of murder of foreign officials - while prosecutors say additional charges are likely. Israeli embassy worker couple shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington DC by gunman chanting 'Free Palestine' He was not handcuffed and nodded along while the judge read him the charges, the MailOnline has reported. Interim US Attorney for the District of Washington Jeanine Pirro, who is leading the prosecution, has said it is "far too early" to say if the death penalty will be sought. However, she added that this is a "death penalty eligible case". Heartbreaking details about the victims have emerged in the wake of the tragedy. 9 The couple were about to visit Jerusalem, where Lischinsky planned to propose Credit: AP 9 A court sketch of Rodriguez appearing to hear his charges Credit: Reuters 9 Emergency workers outside the museum just after the shooting Credit: EPA The pair were reportedly madly in love, and Lischinsky had secretly bought an engagement ring just days earlier. He had planned to propose on a vacation to Jerusalem, where they planned to travel on Sunday to see Lischinsky's family who live there. She never found out that her boyfriend of a year and a half was planning to propose. Milgrim and Lischinsky, who were both Jewish, were working for the Israeli Embassy when they were killed. He helped plan missions for Jewish people in America, and Lischinsky was a research assistant. Milgrim's heartbroken parents have opened up about their love for Lischinsky as they described him as an "incredible" man who was devoted to their daughter. 9 Another view of the candlelight vigil outside the White House Credit: AFP 9 Messages of grief laid to remember the couple Credit: Alamy "He was very much like Sarah: passionate, extremely intelligent, dedicated to what he does, always on the cause of what's right," her dad Robert told the New York Times. Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, mourned the loss of the couple and described seeing their affection for one another just hours before their deaths. "Yaron and Sarah, words cannot begin to describe the heartbreak and sorrow," she wrote on X. "Just this morning, we were still laughing together by the coffee corner - and now, all that remains is a picture. "Instead of walking you down the aisle, we are walking with you to your graves. What an unbearable loss." In a statement released by the Embassy, the two were described as being in the "prime of their lives." "The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder," the statement said. "No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time."
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Israeli embassy gunman Elias Rodriguez faces death penalty after ‘firing 21 shots & reloading as victims crawled away'
THE man suspected of shooting dead two Israeli embassy officials in Washington fired 21 shots and reloaded as his wounded victims crawled away, according to court documents. Elias Rodriguez, 31, 9 The chilling moment suspected Israeli embassy shooter Elias Rodriguez screams 'free Palestine' after gunning down a young couple Credit: X/PhoenixTV 9 Israeli embassy victimsYaron Lischinsky Sarah Milgrim Credit: Family Handout 9 Mourners lights candles during a vigil outside of the White House to remember the pair Credit: Getty 9 The Chicago native was caught on camera unloading several rounds into Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, after pacing outside the Capital Jewish Museum, according to the arrest affidavit. The pair collapsed after being shot but the gunman continued his onslaught, the document says. Footage shows him looming over the couple, already ragged by bullets, and firing at them again, charging documents show. Rodriguez allegedly then pursued Milgrim as she tried to escape and finished her off. read more on the shooting He was seen reloading his weapon before again opening fire at the desperate woman. Rodriguez unloaded at least 21 shots during the cold-blooded slaughter, according to police sources, using a high-end German-design H&K 9mm pistol, reports It's unclear how many times each victim was shot. Most read in The US Sun He had been ushered inside alongside civilians in the confusion following the shooting. The suspect Washington on Thursday facing charges of murder of foreign officials - while prosecutors say additional charges are likely. Israeli embassy worker couple shot dead outside Jewish museum in Washington DC by gunman chanting 'Free Palestine' He was not handcuffed and nodded along while the judge read him the charges, the MailOnline has reported. Interim US Attorney for the District of Washington Jeanine Pirro, who is leading the prosecution, has said it is "far too early" to say if the death penalty will be sought. However, she added that this is a "death penalty eligible case". Heartbreaking details about the victims have emerged in the wake of the tragedy. 9 The couple were about to visit Jerusalem, where Lischinsky planned to propose Credit: AP 9 A court sketch of Rodriguez appearing to hear his charges Credit: Reuters 9 Emergency workers outside the museum just after the shooting Credit: EPA The pair were reportedly madly in love, and Lischinsky had secretly bought an engagement ring just days earlier. He had planned to propose on a vacation to Jerusalem, where they planned to travel on Sunday to see Lischinsky's family who live there. She never found out that her boyfriend of a year and a half was planning to propose. Milgrim and Lischinsky, who were both Jewish, were working for the Israeli Embassy when they were killed. He helped plan missions for Jewish people in America, and Lischinsky was a research assistant. Milgrim's heartbroken parents have opened up about their love for Lischinsky as they described him as an "incredible" man who was devoted to their daughter. 9 Another view of the candlelight vigil outside the White House Credit: AFP 9 Messages of grief laid to remember the couple Credit: Alamy "He was very much like Sarah: passionate, extremely intelligent, dedicated to what he does, always on the cause of what's right," her dad Robert told the Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, mourned the loss of the couple and described seeing their affection for one another just hours before their deaths. "Yaron and Sarah, words cannot begin to describe the heartbreak and sorrow," she wrote on X. "Just this morning , we were still laughing together by the coffee corner - and now, all that remains is a picture. "Instead of walking you down the aisle, we are walking with you to your graves. What an unbearable loss." In a statement released by the Embassy, the two were described as being in the "prime of their lives." "The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder," the statement said. "No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time." Who is Elias Rodriguez? ELIAS Rodriguez is the man accused of killing the two Israeli embassy staff in Washington outside the Capital Jewish Museum. He is understood to have been a far-left activist who was fairly well-known in Washington's protest scene. Resurfaced images appear to show Rodriguez at pro-Gaza demonstrations in the past. Social media posts also claim he is affiliated with the Party for Socialism & Liberation in the US which is seen as far-left. The group confirmed in a post on X that Rodriguez had a "brief association" with them. The group added that Rodriguez was not a member and that his activism with them ended in 2017. A spokesperson said: 'We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it.'
