Graffiti at Duma arson site
Graffiti at Duma arson siteFlash 90

Palestinian Arab media reported on Monday night that IDF forces have confiscated surveillance cameras from the Arab village of Duma in Samaria, as part of the investigation into last Friday's lethal arson that left an infant dead and four family members wounded.

The pro-Hamas Al-Aqsa TV claimed that the forces seized a large number of cameras in the village, located near Shechem (Nablus).

If accurate, the report would raise questions as to why the Arab village is apparently not cooperating with the investigation into the lethal arson, and also why the vital video evidence was not obtained by investigators days ago in a case that has caused a massive stir in Israel.

Israeli politicians from all ends of the spectrum rushed to condemn the arson attack as "Jewish terror," given that the IDF estimated Jewish extremists may have conducted it based on the presence of Hebrew graffiti at the site.

That widespread condemnation has been followed by a wave of Arab terrorism, including attempts to burn down Joseph's Tomb, countless rock and firebomb attacks, an apparent arson southeast of Jerusalem Sunday that set off a massive fire and released asbestos-laden ash on wide swathes of the city, a near-lethal firebomb attack in Jerusalem's Beit Hanina, and numerous other attacks of varying degrees.

While investigators are apparently working under the assumption that Jewish extremists caused the Duma arson, several questionable points have been raised regarding the claims of locals regarding the arson.

The affected house was located in the center of the sprawling village, and before burning it the assailants burned down an empty home next door. The arsonists had to place the firebombs through the house's lattice, and according to locals they entered the home and stood over the parents to prevent them from leaving until the entire house was on fire. They also drew graffiti at two places, one with an intricate crown on it, and then made it out of the village on foot.

Adding to the question marks surrounding the case are reports of an ongoing 18-year feud between two clans in Duma.