Mother of Palestinian Toddler Burnt to Death in West Bank Settler Attack Declared Dead · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Eighteen-month-old Ali Al Dawabsheh with his parents. Ali was burned to death in a settler attack on his home in Duma, in the West Bank, on July 31. His father died on August 8. His mother died earlier today. Both his parents and four-year-old brother were injured in the fire which killed him. Photograph shared by @LinahAlsaafin on Twitter
The mother of a Palestinian baby burned to death in an Israeli settler arson attack on her home in Duma village in the occupied West Bank died earlier today. Her death sparked anger and outrage as Palestinians grapple with the loss of the third member of the same family while the culprits are free.
Eighteen-month-old Ali Dawabsheh was instantly killed and his parents and four-year-old brother were injured, with up to 75 per cent of their bodies burned, according to medics in neighboring Nablus, who spoke to Al Jazeera, when the attack took place on July 31.
Their home was torched along with a neighbor's house by a group of settlers who left graffiti reading “revenge” and “long live Messiah” on the burned out walls. A local resident, Mesalem Daoubasah, told Haaretz Israeli newspaper that he saw four settlers fleeing the scene with several local residents following them in pursuit. According to Daoubasah, the settlers fled toward the nearby settlement of Ma'aleh Ephraim.
Riham, a teacher who just turned 27, is survived by her son, Ahmed, who is said to be in stable condition. His father Saad, aged 32, died on August 8.
Gaza Writes Back explains:
Little Ahmed Dawabsheh is fatherless, motherless, brotherless. He is the epitome of Palestine. Israel must pay! pic.twitter.com/rMgbCkbRDN
— Gaza Writes Back (@ThisIsGaZa) September 7, 2015
From Gaza, Dr Bilal Dabour adds:
Riham, the mother, has died. It is confirmed this time. Her very journey close to death several times testifies to the Zionist cruelty.
— Belal Dabour – Gaza (@Belalmd12) September 7, 2015
Israeli journalist Mairav Zonszein points out that no suspects were charged with the crime:
Reham Dawabshe, mother of Ali and Ahmed, died of her wounds this morning. It has been 1.5 months since Duma arson.Still no suspects charged
— Mairav Zonszein (@MairavZ) September 7, 2015
And Palestinian Lina Alsaafin notes:
Israeli police set up hotline-0508386626-for anyone who has info on the murderers. Um, attackers fled to Maaleh Efraim colony, start w/ that
— لينة (@LinahAlsaafin) September 7, 2015
Riham was laid to rest in Duma, in a grave next to her husband and son. Here are some photographs of her students mourning her death, shared on Twitter by Gaza Writes Back:
Jewish settlers murdered a mother, a daughter, a sister, a loving and caring teacher. Rest in Peace Reham Dawabsheh pic.twitter.com/ITz6PY3K0l
— Gaza Writes Back (@ThisIsGaZa) September 7, 2015