Suspects in West Bank arson released

JERUSALEM, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- At least seven suspects in the July firebombing of a home in the West Bank, which killed a Palestinian baby, were released by Israeli authorities Monday.

The suspects were detained for questioning by Israeli police during a crackdown on Jewish extremists after the arson attack, blamed on Jewish settlers in the area, in the West Bank city of Duma on July 31. Ali Saad Dawabsha, 18 months old, was burned to death; his father Saad, 32,died Saturday. The word "revenge," in Hebrew, was painted on their home before the fire. No arrests have been made.

The fire drew condemnation from around the world, and the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has promised retaliation.

Hamas spokesman Hossam Badran wrote on social media Saturday, "Nothing will stop these murderous settler attacks and... we cannot wait until they come into our villages and our homes. Our people in the West Bank have only one choice: that of open and comprehensive confrontation against the occupation."

About 500,000 Jewish Israelis live in over 100 West Bank settlements, their presence regarded as illegal under international law.