An 18-month-old Palestinian child has been killed in an arson attack by Israeli settlers on his home in Duma in the West Bank. His parents and five-year-old brother were also injured in the attack and are in a critical condition. They were initially treated at Rafidiya Hospital in Nablus, in the Burns Unit supported by Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
MAP spoke to Dr Anas Abu Safa, who was called to the hospital at 3am to give urgent medical care to the family who had been brought there. He told us that the toddler, Ali Saad Dawabsheh, had 100% burns to his body and had died before reaching hospital. The boy’s mother and father both had 75% burns to their bodies, as well as suspected inhalation injuries. The second child suffered serious burns to his limbs, neck and back.
The family were given first aid and stabilised at Rafidiya for four hours, before being transferred to the Huwwara checkpoint for airlift to an Israeli hospital. Dr Anas believes that the extent of the family’s injuries means they may have permanent disabilities and needs for physiotherapy, psychological support and occupational therapy. The surviving son is likely to be the most affected as his body is still growing.
Tony Laurance, Chief Executive of MAP, said: “This is a heinous crime and a terrible tragedy for the family. Our thoughts are with them at this time. Sadly we have witnessed a rise in violence across the Occupied West Bank, and settler attacks have become a regular threat to Palestinians. This is another tragic reminder of the need to find an end to this human-caused conflict.”
This is another tragic reminder of the need to find an end to this human-caused conflict
The attack was condemned by the UN Envoy for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr Nickolay Mladenov, who called it an 'outrage' and called for "full and prompt investigation to bring the perpetrators of this terrorist crime to justice". The attack was further condemned by Israeli authorities, who have denounced it as an ‘act of terrorism’. The Palestinian Liberation Organisation said that the attack was a “direct consequence of decades of impunity given by the Israeli government to settler terrorism”. The UN in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have reported that protests are expected in the West Bank today.
Medical Aid for Palestinians has been working with the Palestinian Ministry of Health to improve local capacity for burns treatment in the West Bank and Gaza, including through support to the establishment and equipping of the Burns Unit at Rafidiya hospital. MAP has also helped to develop, agree and standardise emergency burns treatment and assessment protocols, and is helping to build a dedicated Burns Unit at Hebron Hospital to serve the population of the southern West Bank.
You can support our ongoing work with Burns Units in Palestine by donating here.