Firebombing attack on Americans demonstrating for hostage release

JTA - Six people were burned and injured in Boulder, Colorado, at least one critically, in a firebombing attack on people who had gathered to draw attention to the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The FBI said the victims were aged 55 to 88. The FBI also released the name and age of the suspect, who they said they had in custody. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was said to have yelled “Free Palestine” during the attack and to have used a “makeshift flamethrower,” according to the FBI, which said it is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism. Soliman was also injured in the attack, authorities said.

The head of the Boulder Police Department promised to “hold the attacker fully accountable.”

The event had been staged by Run For Their Lives, an organization that hosts regular runs and walks across the country to draw attention to Israeli hostages and is affiliated with hostage families and their advocates in Israel. On its website, the group advises participants concerned about their safety  to “focus on humanity” in their demonstrations, “don’t protest,” and to fly flags from all countries that have hostages in Gaza. The Boulder march had been staged weekly, organizers said.