There are conflicting reports regarding the exact time of events surrounding the Thursday night the eve of 15 Sivan 5774 terrorist kidnapping. Following is the timeline reported in the daily Yediot Achronot on Monday 18 Sivan.

22:15 – The Ride:

The youths entered a vehicle in Gush Etzion on Thursday night 15 Sivan near the entrance to Alon Shvut, one kilometer (6/10 of a mile) from Gush Etzion Junction. The boys already notified family members that they were heading home. A fourth person waiting at the hitchhiking stop did not enter the vehicle.

22:25 – The Call to Police 100 Dispatcher:

One of the youths managed to phone police and said “we’ve been kidnapped, we’ve been kidnapped” and the phone call ended. The dispatcher tried calling back but there was no response. Police believe it was a prank call and the information is not passed along. The consequence of this decision is the IDF remains unaware and immediate action is not taken.

03:30 – Parents Report to Police:

The father of Gilad Shaar reports his son’s disappearance to Binyamin Police in the Shai (Shomron-Yehuda) Police district. Hours later, the families of Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Frenkel report the missing youths to police as well.

04:00 – The IDF is Notified:

IDF officials are finally informed that the three took a ride in a vehicle at Alon Shvut Junction, located at the western entrance to the community. A fourth person at the stop decided not to take the ride with the three.

06:00 – The Tape is Passed to the ISA:

Police finally get it – the connection between the missing youths and the phone call that was received at 22:25. The recording to the emergency call was turned over to the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) in the hope it will it will be of assistance. The IDF begins to operate. Efforts to locate the cell phone tell police the last signal was at 23:30 in the Hebron area.

12:30 – The Burned Vehicle:

The PA (Palestinian Authority) reports a burned Hyundai i35 found in the village of Dura in the S. Hebron Hills areas. It is believed the vehicle may have been used by the terrorists.

12:30- Wave of Arrests:

The house-to-house search begins in the Hebron area begins, dubbed Operation Brothers Return. Dozens of suspects are taken into custody, reportedly most with an affiliation to Hamas.

Names for Tehillim:

1. Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah

2. Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim

3. Eyal ben Iris Tesurah

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)