JERUSALEM (JTA) — Five Palestinians were treated for smoke inhalation after their home was set ablaze in a “price tag” attack believed to be in revenge for an Israeli soldier’s murder.
“Regards from Eden, Revenge” was spray-painted on the house, which is located in a Palestinian village northeast of Ramallah. Its five residents were treated at a nearby hospital.
Pvt. Eden Atias, 18, of Nazareth-Illit was stabbed to death Wednesday morning on a public bus in Afula by a 16-year-old Palestinian male who was in Israel illegally. Atias was traveling back to his army base.
Thousands attended his funeral on Wednesday evening.
The Palestinian homeowner told the daily Haaretz that four “settlers” approached the house, poured flammable liquid near the door and set it alight.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said the incident appeared to be in response to Atias’ murder, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, two Palestinians arrested last month on suspicion of murdering an Israeli army colonel admitted to the killing, calling it a “gift to the Palestinian people.”
The suspects, aged 18 and 21, told Israel’s Shin Bet security agency that they had originally planned to rob Saraya Ofer, but decided to murder him when they realized he was a senior Israel Defense Forces official, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Saraya Ofer was the nephew of brothers and leading Israeli businessmen Yuli and Sammy Ofer.
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