Officials in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer report 11-year-old Ayalah [bas Ruth] Shapira who was seriously injured in a firebomb attack in Shomron on Thursday night the eve of 4 Teves is showing very slight signs of improvement. Ayalah is in a medically induced coma and breathing with the assistance of a respirator as she R�L sustained burns over 50% of her body.

The attack took place at about 18:30 on Thursday evening as Islamic terrorists hurled a firebomb at the vehicle which ignited. Within a matter of seconds the vehicle was engulfed in flames as Ayalah and her father Avner were traveling home to Maale Shomron.

Magen David Adom paramedic Itai Tillinger reported �the attack was near the entrance to their community. A woman presented us with an 11-year-old child who was in excruciating pain but conscious. She had burns over 50% of her body. We immediately began the appropriate treatment which included a tranquilizer and assisted respirations as her condition was quite serious. She was listed in serious condition at the time of transport. A second patient, a man about 40, was transported with burns to his extremities and was listed in light condition�.

Hospital officials on erev Shabbos report that Ayalah has shown the slightest sign of improvement. Her father remains in light condition with �superficial burns�.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)