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Israeli army on high alert in W. Bank after new victim of arson attack dies

Xinhua, August 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) beefed up their presence in the West Bank after a second victim of an arson attack on a Palestinian family died of his wounds on Saturday, Israel Radio reported.

Sa'ad Dawabsha died of his wounds, which he sustained in a Jewish arson attack that killed his 18-month child, at the Soroka hospital in the southern Israeli town of Be'er Sheva.

The military also deployed troops along Route 60 in the West Bank near Nablus, the Ynet news website reported, where the funeral procession shall pass, and the surroundings of the village of Duma.

Israel's defense establishment is concerned of clashes that could ensue between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces, which might get out of hand, on Saturday afternoon following the funeral service in Nablus, as well as possible acts of retribution. The military will stay in a high status of alert throughout the coming days.

The Palestinian militant Hamas organization which rules the Gaza Strip responded to Sa'ad's death, saying "it emphasizes the scale of crime the Zionists committed against the family," the Ynet news website reported, encouraging acts of "resistance in the West Bank."

The only thing that deters the settlers is an offensive initiative against them, not waiting until they reach our homes and villages, Hamas said in a statement, adding that "there is no choice but to launch an open and comprehensive campaign against Israel."

On July 31, perpetrators attacked a house in the village of Duma near Nablus in the West Bank with firebombs. The house was set on fire, which killed 18-month-old baby Ali and critically wounded his mother Reham and his four-year-old brother.

The mother is still hospitalized at the Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv in serious condition, suffering from serious burns, while Israel Radio reported the four-year-old boy's condition was improving.

Clashes broke out between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces following the July 31 attack, resulting in the death of a 19-year-old Palestinian last Saturday. Endit