U.S. citizen among 3 teens feared kidnapped in West Bank
U.S. citizen among 3 teens feared kidnapped in West Bank
IDF estimates kidnappers attempting to leave West Bank via Jordan; massive sweeps conducted overnight in attempt to locate boys; Netanyahu reassures families no efforts will be spared.
Three teenagers hitchhiking in the West Bank have been missing since Thursday night and are feared to have been kidnapped, security officials said. Two of the youths are 16 years old, and the third is 19. One of the teens reportedly holds U.S. citizenship.
The teens, students at the Makor Chaim yeshiva, were thought to be hitchhiking to Modi'in, a city halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. When they did not arrive home or make contact with their families, the yeshiva informed the authorities.
Security forces are currently investigating whether a stolen Israeli vehicle, which was found burnt near Hebron, is linked to the kidnapping. Palestinian firefighters were alerted about the burning car at 3 A.M. on Friday.
Sources in the defense establishment with knowledge of the investigation estimate that the kidnapping was perpetrated by a well-organized and well-prepared cell. The IDF estimates that the kidnappers are attempting to leave Israeli territory, via Jordan.
Live updates:
10 A.M.: The IDF is reinforcing its presence in the Hebron region. Battalions from the paratroopers and Kfir divisions have been transferred to the area. Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, Yoav Har Even, the head of operations directorate, and GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon are currently conferring in Hebron.
8:30 A.M.: Palestinian civilians report that IDF forces has been conducting intensive sweeps throughout the Hebron region overnight, including several neighborhoods in the city of Hebron and in the villages of Tufah, Bnei Naim, Yata, Halhul, Beit Ayoun, and Doura. According to Palestinian sources, several arrests have been made in connection to the supposed kidnapping.
Several locations named by the Shin Bet security services as places the boys might be kept at have been discounted by the military overnight.
"Everything we are doing in these hours, and in the coming hours, is an attempt to go back and retrace what happened there in that area, and understand where they are now and what happened to them," said a senior IDF official.
IDF Spokesman Moti Almoz said during a press briefing that forces have been searching for the teens since Friday morning, and cautioned against speculation and rumors that have been circulating all day on Israeli social media.
'PA responsible for well-being of the kidnapped'
Prime Minister Netanyahu held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at the Kirya, the IDF's Tel Aviv headquarters. Among the officials taking part in the meeting were Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharanovich, Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.
According to an official statement from the Prime Minister's Office, "Israel sees the PA as responsible for the well-being of the kidnapped," adding that Netanyahu spoke with the families of the three missing teens and pledged he would do all in his power to locate them.
"I know you are suffering," Netanyahu told the families. "Be strong, the State of Israel will make every effort for your sons, and I promise to remain in contact with you."
Netanyahu ordered government ministers not to give interviews on the matter.
The Palestinian Authority responded to Netanyahu's statement, saying the PA "is not responsible for the security of settlers."
Adnan Dmeiri, a spokesman for the Palestinian Authority security services, noted that the three are believed to have been kidnapped from Gush Etzion, an area "under Israeli security control," the Palestinian news agency Maan reported.
A senior Fatah official told Haaretz the Palestinian security services will do everything they can to help find the missing Israelis.
"The three were kidnapped in Area C, which is under full Israeli security control. The Palestinian Authority returned in recent years dozens of Israeli citizens who entered Authority territory by accident or deliberately to prove the principle of the sanctity of life," said Mohamed Almadani, and added: "I wish the Israeli government would show responsibility and commitment to human rights on the issue of the hunger-striking detainees."
U.S. citizenship
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro has also been briefed that one of the missing teens reportedly holds U.S. citizenship.
An official from the U.S. State Department said, "We hope the three teens will be returned to their families safely."
Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the U.S. is working with Israel and the Palestinian Authority to help resolve the crisis. Earlier on Friday, Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on the phone with Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
On Friday evening, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni informally met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. At the meeting, Livni asked Kerry to approach Abbas and the Palestinian Authority in order to bring about the release of the teens.
Livni is in London for the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, an international conference on war crimes and violence against women in conflict areas.
Netanyahu additionally spoke with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday, and told him that Abbas is responsible for the well-being of the missing teens.
"What has happened on the ground since the inclusion of Hamas in the Palestinian government is detrimental. This is the result of letting in a murderous terror organization," Netanyahu said.
Shin Bet warnings
The Shin Bet security service has warned in recent weeks of increasingly frequent attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers and citizens in the West Bank. According to Shin Bet data, in the past nine months there have been 11 cases of Palestinians incarcerated in Israel making contact with operatives in the West Bank in an attempt to carry out kidnappings.
In September, Israeli soldier Tomer Hazan was kidnapped and killed by two Palestinians who had invited him to the West Bank. Prosecutors say the kidnapping was part a plan to bring about the release of the killers' brother, in prison in Israel.
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