The identity of the Hamas terrorists that kidnapped Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel and Eyal Yifrach was known to ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) officials about 24 hours after the event. The boys were abducted from Alon Shvut Junction in Gush Etzion on Thursday night the eve of 15 Sivan 5774.

On Thursday night the eve of 29 Sivan, two weeks later, officials announced to the nation that they are aware of the identity of the Hamas terrorists responsible.

With the gag order lifted it is permitted to publish the identity of the terrorists, Marwan Kawasmeh and Amar Abu-Eisha. Both are affiliated with Hamas in Hebron and they are veterans of Israel’s prison system.

Kawasmeh is 30 and his arrest record began in August 2004. He has since been arrested numerous times for his terrorist-related activities. Abu Isa is 32, married and with three children. He too has a long record, arrested in 2005, held in administrative detention and arrested other times as well. The two disappeared on the Thursday of the kidnapping, with Abu-Eisha telling his wife he was to go away for two to three days for work. Family members report the IDF was at their Hebron area home in the first days of Operation Brothers Return, and the terrorist’s father complained to the Israeli media, telling the press “soldiers slapped a family member in the head asking where Amar is”.

The operation continues as thousands of soldiers continue combing areas in the hope of locating the captives and the terrorists who abducted them.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu once again calls on PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to denounce Hamas and bring an end to the coalition agreement with the terrorist organization. In statements released to the media he said Israel has undisputable proof the two are involved in the kidnapping of the youths and that the IDF will continue until the boys are located.

In the interim, Abu Mazen has announced that if Israel releases all of the terrorists imprisoned in Israel, he will agree to resume negotiations.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)