5-year-old victim of Duma attack regains ability to walk

The lone survivor of a firebombing of a Palestinian home in the West Bank village of Duma, five-year-old Ahmad Dawabsha, has begun to walk again after months of treatment for severe burns.

The child, who lost his parents and 18-month-old brother in the July 31 attack by suspected Jewish terrorists, still requires assistance in taking steps, but has made progress and is expected to regain his ability to walk alone within days, Channel 2 television reported on Tuesday.

Ahmed, who is being treated in the Tel Hashomer hospital near Tel Aviv, is reportedly still unaware of his family’s fate.

In recent weeks, the Shin Bet security service has made a number of arrests and claimed breakthroughs in its investigation into the attack.

Right-wing activists have criticized the Shin Bet and the police for what they say are heavy-handed tactics used on those held in connection to the attack.

Itamar Ben Gvir, the lawyer for the Jewish Israeli prime suspect in the attack, accused interrogators on Tuesday of torturing his client, depriving him of sleep for long periods and “harming his values.”

Demonstrations against the prolonged detention of Jewish suspects over the attacks were held near the main entrance to Jerusalem on Sunday and Monday nights.

Sunday’s demonstration turned violent, leaving six police officers wounded by rock throwers. A right-wing activist was also arrested at the demonstration on Monday.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party, on Tuesday accused far-right elements of trying to “overthrow” the state through “murder.”

Backing up the Shin Bet, Bennett slammed critics and said that all methods used by investigators were legitimate.

“I can assert that all the actions that are taken — and they are really extraordinary actions in light of an unusual situation — are under control, and with close legal supervision, and they are aimed at preventing the next attack,” he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also backed the Shin Bet on Tuesday, saying its methods were within the confines of the law.