The American man shot dead in a terror attack in the West Bank was on a short trip to Israel for a friend’s wedding, it has emerged.

Tragic Elan Ganeles was fatally shot by gunmen near the Israeli settlement of Mul Nevo on 27th February.

Elan, 27, hailed from the town of West Hartford, Connecticut State, and had recently graduated from Ivy-League Columbia University in New York City, New York State.

He was critically injured in the shooting, which was carried out by terrorists who had earlier opened fire at passing cars on Highway 90, media in Israel reported.

The US-Israeli dual national died from his wounds at Hadassah Medical Center in the city of Jerusalem.

Elan had previously spent more than two years in Israel with both the US military and the Israel Defense Forces.

He had also spent several months of his time in the country working on a kibbutz dairy farm.

Jerusalem rabbi Shimshon Nadel wrote online: “I remember him as a sweet boy with a great sense of humor.

“He played the saxophone and we would ‘jam’ together in the Shul’s Sukkah, during Hallel on Chanukah, and musical Havdalahs. Heartbreaking.”

And his high-school friend Penina Beede said: “Everything he did and said came from a place of kindness and sweetness.

“It was so uniquely Elan… He would just say things that if anybody else said [them], you would be like, ‘Why would you say that?’ But his delivery was so perfect.”

Elan leaves behind his parents and two younger brothers.

The Israel Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “We are heartbroken to share that 27 year old Elan Ganeles, the victim of yesterday’s terrorist attack succumbed to his wounds.

“Elan was an American-Israeli citizen who was visiting Israel for a friend’s wedding.

“There are no words.

“May his memory be a blessing.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford said in a statement: “Our community is shocked and outraged at the brutal murder of 27 year old West Hartford, CT resident, Elan Ganeles.

“Elan was gunned down in a terrorist attack in Israel Monday evening.

“Ganeles, who grew up in West Hartford and was in Israel to attend a wedding, was driving when 2 Palestinian terrorists drove up to his car and opened fire.

“He was rushed to Hadassah Medical Center in critical condition as paramedics attempted to resuscitate him. He was sadly pronounced dead at the hospital.”

David Waren, President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, said: “Once again, a civilian was targeted by those who see violence toward the innocent as a solution.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the Ganeles family and affirm our solidarity with the people of Israel at this time of escalating violence.

“May Elan’s memory be a blessing for his family and our entire community.”

And the Jewish Federations of North America said in a statement: “Jewish Federations are devastated by the news of the horrific terror attack that took the life of West Hartford, CT native Elan Ganeles.

“Elan’s love for the Jewish people and Israel led him to volunteer in his local community and to serve in the IDF.

“A recent college graduate, Elan had a bright future ahead of him.

“Our hearts go out to his family and to the West Hartford community and we cry together with them. May Elan’s memory be for a blessing.”