Hamas declares: The kidnappers are heroes • "Make it difficult for those searching""

June 15, 2014   

The Prime Minister points to Hamas as the perpetrator of the kidnapping - and the organization is taunting Israel: Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum commented on the incident and said, "The perpetrators are heroes.".

Barhoum added: "Israel is lying when it claims that there is security cooperation between it and the Palestinian government to locate the perpetrators of the operation.".

 The organization's spokesman in Gaza, Sami Abu Zuhri, called Netanyahu's remarks "stupid." He noted that the arrests of Hamas activists were intended to break its power, but that Israel would not succeed in doing so. "The Israeli escalation in the West Bank and Gaza reflects the frustration of the occupation," he said, calling on the international community to intervene to stop "these crimes.".

When the kidnapping of the three teenagers was announced, the organization posted on an online forum a request to Hebron residents to make the search efforts more difficult. One of the suggestions put forward was to remove the security cameras from the stores near the area where the vehicle was found and prevent the use of the footage. Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran said openly, "Make the army's search as difficult as possible and confront the forces.""

Since Friday night, more than two thousand soldiers have taken part in the search operation and dozens of arrests have been made, mainly of Hamas members. Among those arrested were members of the Hamas Legislative Council, including Sheikh Hassan Youssef, a senior Hamas figure in the West Bank.

This morning, Netanyahu announced at a cabinet meeting that Hamas was responsible for the kidnapping. He added that there would be 'serious consequences.' The Defense Minister imposed a closure on the Hebron Governorate. The Defense Ministry's statement said: "During the closure, only humanitarian, medical and exceptional cases will be allowed, and all of this is subject to approval by the Civil Administration.".

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Palestinian security forces are cooperating with the security establishment. According to the report, the effort of the Palestinian security forces is focused on two known Hamas operatives, whose names cannot be published. Israeli security forces know who they are and have even visited their homes, but they have not arrived since Thursday. They are now classified as wanted.