Israel has publicized that it is holding the five bodies of Islamic Jihad terrorists who were killed when Israel detonated a terrorist tunnel which began in Khan Yunis, Gaza and continued into Israel. While terrorist leaders in Gaza accused Israel, officials only confirmed this on Sunday night, stating that until such time the bodies of the Operation Protective Edge victims are not returned, these bodies will not be returned. Israel is referring to Lt. Hadar Goldin HY”D and Sgt. Oren Shaul HY”D.

Gaza-based terrorists announced their colleagues were buried alive in the controlled explosion, and this has now been confirmed by the IDF Spokesman.

The Islamic Jihad responded with its own statement: The bodies of the five shahids will not remain for long in Israel’s hands. We know how to recover bodies of our people. The campaign is open and will not end. The organization will not bargain over the bodies of terrorists held by Israel. Holding them will only cause the organization to continue to follow the path of jihad. This is not the only tunnel. We have many tunnels and a variety of options, some of which the enemy has felt during its recent wars in Gaza. The five martyrs sacrificed their lives so that the flag of Jihad and resistance would remain on the air. Our battle with the enemy continues and in all arenas in Palestine – from the sea to the river. ”

Hamas followed with its own statement: “Israel can only imagine that it will succeed in changing the position of the Palestinian resistance,” read the statement, adding that “we will leave in our hands all means that will enable us to defend our people and continue the resistance. This is an Israeli crime that is added to crimes against our people. An expression of killing, arrest, siege, and damage to the holy places, and the resistance will continue to go its way until our goals are achieved – liberation and return.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)