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Everyone suffered severe burns. Ayman is most critical. Hasan's condition is severe. Six-year old Muhammad sustained burns over 35% of his hands and back. Basem got second degree burns on his face and third degree ones on his hands. Family members are still recovering.
Israeli soldiers protect settlers. They enjoy virtual impunity. Palestinians are vulnerable to everything from routine vandalism to arson and murder. Who can they turn to for help with no willing source. According to Al Haq:
"The consistent failure of the Israeli authorities to act with due diligence has encouraged an increase in settler attacks against Palestinians."As occupying power, Israel is responsible for "protect(ing) the occupied Palestinian population." It "therefore (must) conduct thorough investigations, bring those responsible to justice and punish them if found guilty."
Israeli authorities scoff at these obligations and ignore them. As a result, Palestinians suffer horrifically from settler attacks alone.
On August 19, the London Guardian headlined "Jewish settler attacks on Palestinians listed as 'terrorist incidents' by US," saying:
For the first time, the State Department classified them this way. Israeli officials also condemned them. In July, EU parliamentarians denounced settler violence. They also demanded "an immediate end to house demolitions, evictions, and forced displacement of Palestinians."
In mid-August, Maxwell Gaylard, Deputy Special Coordinator for Middle East peace and humanitarian/development activities, expressed concern for the dire humanitarian situation affecting almost 1,000 South Hebron Hills Palestinians.
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