Wednesday, 20 Sivan 5774, marks the sixth day of Operation Brothers Return, the effort to locate and rescue the three youths who were abducted from Alon Shvut Junction in Gush Etzion last Thursday night, the eve of 15 Sivan. Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach remain in Hamas hands as IDF soldiers working with other agencies continue the search, focusing primarily on the Hebron area.

The ISA Waiting for the Slightest Error:
The ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) is waiting for the terrorists to make the slightest error, one that may point them in the direction of the captives. According to a Walla News report, the over 200 Hamas operatives and commanders taken into custody. By and large, they are remaining silent.

The operating premise remains that the youths are in Yehuda or Shomron, and that despite delays in police processing the information, the abductors have not moved the youths to Gaza. The daily HaMevaser reports there are increasing fears regarding the boys being alive or not, but the IDF and the government continue operating on the premise that this is a rescue and not a recovery mission.

At least 700 homes have been checked since Friday 15 Sivan, primarily homes of known Hamas terrorists. Despite the herculean effort, that is barely a drop in the bucket considering the number of PA (Palestinian Authority) residents. Over 100 tunnels were inspected as well.

Patience, Effort & Creativity:
The experts explain that it is a matter of time and the ISA realizes a mistake will occur and hopefully; it will provide the information needed to locate the captives. They explain it is a game of nerves, demanding patience, but mainly the ongoing major effort and creativity. “Everywhere humans are involved mistakes occur” a senior official stated on Tuesday. “We are waiting for one mistake, one person who opens his mouth to get even at another – and this will occur sooner or later”.

Why Haven’t the Captives Been Located to Date?”
There are different theories as to why Israel hasn’t been able to locate the boys to date. These explanations may provide valuable information to the kidnappers and for censorship reasons, they are not published.

Yehuda & Shomron is the ISA’s home court, and this has been proven by the security agency over the years by carrying out many successful operations Baruch Hashem. One can reflect back a few years when a senior Hamas official was quoted saying “You just have to dream about murdering a Jew at night and the ISA is at your door in the morning to take you to interrogation”.

It’s Likely to be a Small Terror Cell:
The likelihood is that the terrorists that perpetrated the kidnapping are part of a small terror cell, making the intelligence gathering process increasingly difficult. When dealing with small cells or individuals, the difficulties in information-gathering are more evident. In fact, the kidnapping took security agencies by total surprise. Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon stated days ago that while agencies have thwarted 14 attempted abductions in 2014, this case “was under the radar”, there was no warning given to agents by informants.

It Could Take Hours or Weeks:
There are reports, including Yediot Achronot, which indicate a major break is expected soon. However, it appears that while this may occur B’ezras Hashem, it may also take weeks chas v’sholom for the house-to-house process being carried out by thousands of soldiers is a tedious process, one that they dare not take lightly for they are operating in hostile urban areas amid a realization there are many weapons in the hands of PA residents.

More Arrests During the Night:
According to an early morning report from Israel Radio, security forces arrested 50 terrorists released in the Gilad Shalit deal during the night and two members of the Hamas parliament.

Interrogators Working to Piece Together the Puzzle:
It was reported on Tuesday the Security Cabinet has decided instructed Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich to bring conditions for imprisoned Hamas terrorists to an absolute minimum, not to exceed the bare minimum required by international law. It is clear the government is hoping to apply sufficient pressure on Hamas terrorists to break them or tricking them into giving over tidbits of information, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Interrogators are asking questions and what may appear innocent to some could provide a vital link as they piece together the information from the over 250 detainees. This might include having seen anyone stockpiling food last week, prior to the kidnapping, or a PA resident who brought a different vehicle home. Perhaps someone disappeared from work for a number of days prior to the kidnapping. The experts explain these and other actions would have been required before the kidnapping to prepare for the act of terror and the subsequent holding the captives hostage for a prolonged period of time.

The Amazing Kiddush Hashem by the Families:
Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon is expected to brief the families of the captives today personally. The parents of the three continue to receive visitors, state officials and others, but in truth, on Tuesday, it was the families that gave Am Yisrael a chizuk as they sent letters of praise and hakoras hatov to the IDF and other agencies.

They told the international community that they are constantly aware that the ongoing military operation can only succeed if accompanied by the ongoing tefilos. The pain of the families is dwarfed by their strength and bitachon in HKBH, not to mention their constant Kiddush Hashem under the most difficult conditions imaginable.

Names for Tehillim:
1. Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah
2. Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim
3. Eyal ben Iris Tesurah

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)