Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Saturday night that the three boys who have been missing since Friday night "were kidnapped by a terrorist organization.".
At a press conference he convened alongside Defense Minister Moshe (Bogi) Ya'alon and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz in Kirya in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said that the Palestinian Authority and its head, Mahmoud Abbas, are responsible for the kidnapping of the three boys.
Netanyahu said that Israel is doing everything in its power to prevent the transfer of the boys to the Gaza Strip.
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""We are in the midst of a large-scale operation to locate and return the three missing boys," Netanyahu said. "Three young students who were on their way home.".
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He said that he spoke with the families of the kidnapped yesterday and told them "that we are doing everything the state can do and more, to bring their children - our children - home. The parents have shown admirable restraint and fortitude, and in these difficult times, the heart of the entire nation is with the boys and their families.".
The Prime Minister added: "The security forces are busy with intensive activity to locate the boys. They are doing it day and night." He clarified that he has information that he cannot disclose, but emphasized: "Our boys were kidnapped by a terrorist organization. Clear and unambiguous, there is no doubt about it.".
""In these hours, our hearts are with the boys and their families. The IDF and the Shin Bet are working intensively to bring the boys back.".
