The three boys who were kidnapped from Gush Etzion on the night between Thursday and Friday are Naftali Frankel, 16 and a half years old from Nof Ayalon, Gil-Ad Shaer, 16 and a half years old from Talmon in Binyamin, and Eyal Yifrach, 19 years old from Elad – this was allowed to be published on Saturday afternoon.
Frankel is the missing person who also holds American citizenship, in addition to his Israeli one.
A security source claimed this evening that there is "cautious progress" in the investigation into the kidnapping. However, he noted that it is not certain that the boys are still alive. He said it does not appear that it will end in the coming hours, but rather a matter of days.
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At noon, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, after a situation assessment he held with senior officers at the Judea Regional Brigade base, addressed the kidnapping: "We are in the midst of an intelligence effort. Quite a few forces have been deployed to the Judea and Samaria region, with an emphasis on Hebron. This kidnapping apparently passed under our radar. Arrests and searches were made. We hope that this will lead us to the missing as quickly as possible in order to rescue them alive.".
According to Ya'alon, "The effort is from all security branches, with the aim of rescuing the missing as soon as possible. Our working assumption is that they are alive.".
The IDF decided that the wave of arrests would also be expanded to additional locations in Judea and Samaria, andAt noon, the IDF increased the number of soldiers deployed in the Hebron city area. Among other things, the forces were reinforced with fighters from the IDF's elite units, and soldiers from the Paratrooper, Nahal, and Kfir brigades.
As part of the operation, security forces arrested more than 20 Palestinians in Hebron and surrounding villages - mainly in the village of Dora. Among those arrested were two security prisoners who were released in one of the recent deals, and their possible connection to the incident is being investigated.
IDF forces in the area are working to gather intelligence, breaking into Palestinian homes in Hebron and in villages in the area and questioning residents.
A security source said that they are now preparing for a "huge wave of arrests.".
Israel's entire security leadership gathered tonight to discuss the assessment of the special situation in the Kirya in Tel Aviv following their kidnapping.
The discussion at the Kirya was held with the participation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe (Bogi) Ya'alon, Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, Mossad head Tamir Pardo, Head of Military Intelligence Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, and Coordinator of Operations in the Territories Yoav (Poly) Mordechai.
This evening, IDF spokesman Major General Moti Almoz will deliver a statement to the public, after which the political-security cabinet is expected to convene in the headquarters for a special discussion.
Meanwhile, prayers are being held in synagogues and yeshivot across the country for the safety of the kidnapped.
In Elad, a prayer gathering will be held at 10:30 PM at the Mishkenot Neria synagogue.
