Three Palestinian college students, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, were shot while on a walk in Vermont over the Thanksgiving weekend. Awartani, a 20-year-old junior at Brown University, was left paralyzed from the chest down after a bullet became lodged in his spine. His mother, Elizabeth Price, expressed her belief that Hisham will face this challenge with determination and resilience. The two other men were shot in the upper torso and lower extremities and hospitalized in the ICU.

The three friends, who grew up in Ramallah before coming to the US for college, were visiting Burlington for the holiday and staying with Awartani's uncle. They had attended a birthday party for the uncle's twin sons before the shooting occurred. Awartani described the moment the shooting began, saying he found himself on the ground while one of his friends screamed in pain from a chest wound.

The suspect in the attack, 48-year-old Jason J. Eaton, was arrested and charged with three counts of attempted murder. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack and considering whether it was motivated by hate. The victims' families and civil rights groups have called for the case to be treated as a hate crime, given the rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias incidents in the US since the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Awartani's mother revealed that her son had an incomplete spinal injury, which allows him to feel his legs but prevents him from moving them. He also suffered a broken clavicle and a fractured thumb. Awartani is expected to spend one to four weeks in spinal trauma care followed by months of physical therapy. His mother expressed gratitude for the support and donations they have received, stating that if any excess funds are raised, they will be used to support other Palestinians in need.

The shooting has caused concern and fear among the Palestinian community in the US, as it highlights the ongoing tensions and violence faced by Palestinians. It also adds to the growing apprehension surrounding hate-motivated attacks during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While investigators search for a motive, the families of the victims are calling for full justice and accountability.

The shooting of the three Palestinian college students has shattered the illusion that they would be safer in the US than in their home country. Growing up in Ramallah, they experienced the constant presence of the Israeli military, which often carried out raids, arrests, and implemented restrictions on movement. Their decision to study in the US was meant to provide them with a better and safer future. However, the recent attack has left their families feeling betrayed and questioning the safety of their decision.

The shooting has brought attention to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and the rising tensions in the US. Muslims, Palestinians, Jews, and others have expressed an increasing fear of hate-motivated attacks. Recent incidents, such as the stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy and the death of a Jewish protester, have further heightened these concerns.

As the investigation continues, the families of the victims are demanding a full investigation and justice. They believe that their sons were targeted and violently attacked simply because they were Palestinian. The families are also calling for solidarity and support for all Palestinians who face dehumanization and violence.

The shooting of these three Palestinian college students has not only affected their lives but has also highlighted the larger conflict between Israel and Palestine. The incident serves as a reminder of the violence and hardships faced by Palestinians, both in their home country and abroad.