It is a nightmare shared by every family living in a settlement on the West Bank. Early Saturday morning, an unknown number of Palestinian terrorists infiltrated the West Bank settlement of Itamar, southeast of Nablus, and slit the throats of 5 family members. YNet News:

The shocking attack occurred around 1 am as the terrorist entered the family home and murdered three children aged 11, 3, and a baby girl along with their parents. The victims were apparently sleeping as the killer came in.

Itamar residents reported that shots were heard in the area; the terrorist managed to flee the scene.

Three other children at the home, a 12-year-old girl and her two brothers, aged 6 and 2, were able to escape to a nearby house and inform their neighbors of the attack.

 

The terrorist who carried out the massacre cut the fence surrounding Itamar and entered the home of the victims through the window, an initial probe of the murder showed. Authorities could not immediately discount the possibility that more than one attacker was involved in the murder. 

[...]

Paramedic Kabaha Muayua was among the first responders at the site and described the horrific scene he encountered.

 

"We could not help the first four stab victims. Following an inspection of the scene I spotted an infant of about three who still had a pulse. We engaged in lengthy resuscitation efforts but had to pronounce him dead," he said. "The murder scene was shocking. Kids' toys right next to pools of blood."

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad stated that he "clearly and firmly denounces the terror attack, just as I have denounced crimes against Palestinians." He added,"We are against all types of violence."

Meanwhile, YNet reports the reaction of Palestinian residents of Rafah:

Gaza residents from the southern city of Rafah hit the streets Saturday to celebrate the terror attack in the West Bank settlement of Itamar where five family members were murdered in their sleep, including three children.

Residents handed out candy and sweets, one resident saying the joy "is a natural response to the harm settlers inflict on the Palestinian residents in the West Bank."

The shadowy al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, an offshoot of Fatah's military wing, claimed responsibility for the attack. Al-Aqsa is considered close to the political wing of Fatah, which makes Sayyad's condemnations ring a little hollow.

However, they will be believed by those inclined to believe anything the Palestinians say while discounting anything said from the Israeli government. The fiction will be maintained by the White House and State Department who need Fatah as a "partner" in their peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, West Bank residents in the settlements are on edge while Palestinians celebrate the throat cutting murder of children, including an infant.

Hat Tip: Mladen Andrijasevic