Thirteen-year-old Hallel Yaffe Ariel, from Kiryat Arba, was murdered on Thursday, June 30, stabbed repeatedly in her upper body by a terrorist in her own home. The terrorist infiltrated the town, climbed into the Ariel home through an open window, and found Hallel asleep alone in room she shared with her two younger sisters.
Hallel was alone because of the start of summer vacation for Israeli middle school children. She was a member of a dance troupe that performed the night before, and was asleep because she had arrived home late from the performance.
Hallel leaves behind her parents, Amichai and Rena, and four siblings. Amichai runs a well-known winery and works as a teacher. Rena is a social worker in the Jerusalem municipality.
Hundreds of people rushed to Kiryat Arba to show support for the family and the entire community after the attack.