Mrs. Rachel Frenkel, the mother of Naftali HY”D, spoke to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) following the reports that the terrorists that kidnapped her son, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach HY”D were shot dead during the night in Hebron. She explained “This will not bring back the boys but I am pleased they cannot strike again”.

She added “during the entire period they had pistols and automatic weapons and we feared since they have nothing to lose they may strike again. We are pleased the matter was completed without injury to IDF soldiers. We are aware that the IDF and ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) were tenacious in their efforts. An official from the ISA phoned the families to inform us. I am not too sorry that I will not have to see their smiling faces in a courtroom or have to address a prisoner deal at a future date”.

“I do not feel anything extraordinary. It is a weight lifted to some degree that this evil is gone. The alternative of seeing them celebrating in the streets would have been painful and we were spared this” she added.

Mrs. Iris Yifrach added “We davened that they would be apprehended. This was our natural desire. From my perspective, the person who took my son’s life had to pay with his life. This is the correct way. It was done today. This brought the kidnapping to a closure. That big day arrived. One must realize that those wishing to strike at us, to kill us, will eventually pay the price.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)