Father of toddler burnt to death by Israeli settlers dies

Published August 8, 2015
Palestinians looking at the damage as they stand in a house set on fire by Jewish settlers. -AFP/File
Palestinians looking at the damage as they stand in a house set on fire by Jewish settlers. -AFP/File

NABLUS: The father of a Palestinian toddler killed last week after their home was firebombed by Jewish extremists has died of his injuries in an Israeli hospital, a Palestinian official confirmed Saturday.

The arson attack on the family's home in the occupied West Bank that killed 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha sparked an international outcry over Israel's failure to curb violence by hardline Jewish settlers.

The sleeping toddler was burned to death when the assailants set fire to two Palestinian homes early on Friday, also critically wounding the child's 4-year-old brother and parents.

The child's father, Saad, had been being treated for third-degree burns at an Israeli hospital, where a spokeswoman last week described his condition as "critical".

Early on Saturday Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official for the north of the West Bank which includes the village of Duma where the Dawabsha family lived, announced the father had succumbed to his injuries.

"Saad Dawabsha died and plans are underway for his funeral in Nablus," Daghlas said.

The Dawabsha family in Duma also confirmed the death.

Mother Riham and four-year-old son Ahmed were also in an Israeli hospital, where a spokeswoman described their condition last week as life-threatening.

Read Palestine toddler burned to death by Jewish settlers

The family's small brick and cement home in Duma was gutted by fire early on July 31, and a Jewish Star of David spray-painted on a wall along with the words "revenge" and "long live the Messiah".

Israel this week used a controversial form of detention without trial normally invoked for Palestinians against an alleged Jewish extremist, following an outcry over the attack.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the attack as "terrorism in every respect", and vowed to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The US administration also condemned the arson attack by branding it a "vicious terrorist" act that must be punished.

In a statement issued on Friday, the US State Department welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's condemnation of the attack and called for Israeli authorities to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice. It also urged all sides to maintain calm and not escalate tensions.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.