Israel Blames Hamas for Kidnapping Three Teens
Advertisement
Israel on Sunday accused Hamas of kidnapping three Israeli teens in the West Bank, hours after the country's security forces detained dozens of Palestinians amid a stepped up military effort to find the boys.
The teens Gilad Shaar, 19, Naftali Frenkel, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 16 were last seen Thursday night near Gush Etzion, an area that has several Jewish settlements.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who earlier had stopped short of pointing a finger at any specific terror group told a Cabinet meeting on Sunday that Hamas was behind the boys' disappearance. "This morning I can say what I was unable to say yesterday before the extensive wave of arrests of Hamas members," he said. "Those who perpetrated the abduction of our youths were members of Hamas."
"This has severe repercussions," he added.
Netanyahu told the Cabinet meeting that he had spoken to the families of the missing teens and expressed Israel's support, echoing similar comments from Israel's president, Shimon Peres. The president's office said that Peres had spoken to the parents of the teens on Saturday. "We are one nation, we are one family and I want you to know that all of Israel is with you during these difficult times," Peres told them, according to his office.
The president also said that all branches of Israel's security forces are "doing everything to bring our boys home," adding that "the people of Israel are praying for their safe return." [nbcnews]
The teens Gilad Shaar, 19, Naftali Frenkel, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 16 were last seen Thursday night near Gush Etzion, an area that has several Jewish settlements.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - who earlier had stopped short of pointing a finger at any specific terror group told a Cabinet meeting on Sunday that Hamas was behind the boys' disappearance. "This morning I can say what I was unable to say yesterday before the extensive wave of arrests of Hamas members," he said. "Those who perpetrated the abduction of our youths were members of Hamas."
"This has severe repercussions," he added.
Netanyahu told the Cabinet meeting that he had spoken to the families of the missing teens and expressed Israel's support, echoing similar comments from Israel's president, Shimon Peres. The president's office said that Peres had spoken to the parents of the teens on Saturday. "We are one nation, we are one family and I want you to know that all of Israel is with you during these difficult times," Peres told them, according to his office.
The president also said that all branches of Israel's security forces are "doing everything to bring our boys home," adding that "the people of Israel are praying for their safe return." [nbcnews]
Advertisement
Nepalese Rupee Exchange Rate