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Palestinian toddler killed in 'Jewish settler' arson attack Palestinian toddler killed in 'Jewish settler' arson attack
(about 1 hour later)
A Palestinian toddler has been killed in an arson attack in the West Bank, suspected to have been carried out by Jewish settlers, Israeli police say.A Palestinian toddler has been killed in an arson attack in the West Bank, suspected to have been carried out by Jewish settlers, Israeli police say.
The 18-month-old boy was killed in the nighttime attack on two homes in the village of Duma. His parents and four-year-old brother were injured. The 18-month-old boy was killed in the night-time attack on two homes in the village of Duma. His parents, brother and another child were injured.
The attackers apparently sprayed the word "revenge" in Hebrew on one of the houses which were firebombed. Slogans in Hebrew, including the word "revenge", were found sprayed on a wall of one of the firebombed houses.
Israel's prime minister called the attack "reprehensible and horrific".Israel's prime minister called the attack "reprehensible and horrific".
"This is an act of terrorism in every respect. The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of the perpetrators," Benjamin Netanyahu said in a tweet."This is an act of terrorism in every respect. The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of the perpetrators," Benjamin Netanyahu said in a tweet.
However the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, said it held the Israeli government "fully responsible for the brutal assassination" of the child, Ali Saad Dawabsha.However the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which dominates the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, said it held the Israeli government "fully responsible for the brutal assassination" of the child, Ali Saad Dawabsha.
"This is a direct consequence of decades of impunity given by the Israeli government to settler terrorism," it said."This is a direct consequence of decades of impunity given by the Israeli government to settler terrorism," it said.
Ali Saad Dawabsha died at the scene. His mother, Reham, father, Saad, and brother, Ahmad, were taken to a hospital in Nablus. The killing comes amid heightened tensions between the Israeli state, Jewish settlers and Palestinians in recent days.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: "The preliminary investigation suggests that suspects entered the village in the early hours of the morning, set the homes ablaze and sprayed graffiti in Hebrew on the homes. On Wednesday, settlers scuffled with police as Israeli authorities demolished two partially built blocks which the high court had ruled were built illegally on Palestinian-owned land, in the settlement of Beit El.
"IDF forces are currently operating in order to locate the suspects of this attack." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose fragile coalition comprises pro-settler parties, immediately authorised a start to the construction of 300 planned homes in the settlement, drawing ire from the Palestinians.
Police said the attack appeared to have nationalist motives. Palestinians regard settlements as a major obstacle to building a sought-after state in contiguous territory in the West bank and East Jerusalem.
Trapped inside
Palestinian officials said up to four assailants attacked the houses - one of which was empty - overnight.
Resident Ibrahim Dawabsha told Reuters news agency he heard people shouting for help.
"We found the parents outside with burns, they said there was another son in the house, we brought him out and then they said there was another boy inside, but we couldn't reach the bedroom because of the fire. He was left inside until rescue forces came," he said.
Toddler Ali Saad Dawabsha died at the scene. His mother, Reham, father, Saad, and four-year-old brother, Ahmad, were taken to a hospital in Nablus.
The Israeli military said it was hunting for the perpetrators of the attack, which police said appeared to have "nationalist motives".
The type of incident resembles what have become known as "price tag" attacks - acts of vandalism or arson by Jewish extremists as a form of revenge for actions or attacks against Jewish settlements or unauthorised outposts in the West Bank.The type of incident resembles what have become known as "price tag" attacks - acts of vandalism or arson by Jewish extremists as a form of revenge for actions or attacks against Jewish settlements or unauthorised outposts in the West Bank.
About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.