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Israel Names Prime Suspects in Abductions Israel Names Prime Suspects in Abductions
(2 months later)
JERUSALEM — Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisha, both residents of the West Bank city of Hebron, were last seen on the night of June 12, shortly before three Israeli teenagers went missing while hitchhiking a few miles to the north. JERUSALEM — Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisha, both residents of the West Bank city of Hebron, were last seen on the night of June 12, shortly before three Israeli teenagers went missing while hitchhiking a few miles to the north.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, named the two men on Thursday as the prime suspects in the abductions. Describing them in a statement as “Hamas activists,” the agency offered a first piece of information to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated assertions that the Islamic militant group was responsible.The Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, named the two men on Thursday as the prime suspects in the abductions. Describing them in a statement as “Hamas activists,” the agency offered a first piece of information to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated assertions that the Islamic militant group was responsible.
On Thursday, Mr. Netanyahu again called on the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to break his recent reconciliation pact with Hamas, describing the group as a “terrorist organization that kidnaps children and calls for the destruction of Israel.”On Thursday, Mr. Netanyahu again called on the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, to break his recent reconciliation pact with Hamas, describing the group as a “terrorist organization that kidnaps children and calls for the destruction of Israel.”
Hamas officials have praised the kidnapping, but have not taken responsibility for it.Hamas officials have praised the kidnapping, but have not taken responsibility for it.
Mr. Qawasmeh, 29, a barber, and Mr. Abu Aisha, 33, the owner of a store near Jerusalem, have both spent time in Israeli jails. According to the Shin Bet, Mr. Qawasmeh admitted to having been recruited by the Hamas military wing.Mr. Qawasmeh, 29, a barber, and Mr. Abu Aisha, 33, the owner of a store near Jerusalem, have both spent time in Israeli jails. According to the Shin Bet, Mr. Qawasmeh admitted to having been recruited by the Hamas military wing.
A brother of Mr. Abu Aisha was killed in 2005, according to the Shin Bet, when he tried to hurl an explosive at Israeli soldiers. Relatives said he was assassinated by Israel.A brother of Mr. Abu Aisha was killed in 2005, according to the Shin Bet, when he tried to hurl an explosive at Israeli soldiers. Relatives said he was assassinated by Israel.
The Shin Bet said several other suspects had been arrested in the kidnapping. More than 370 Palestinians have been detained in the past two weeks as Israeli troops combed the Hebron area for the teenagers.The Shin Bet said several other suspects had been arrested in the kidnapping. More than 370 Palestinians have been detained in the past two weeks as Israeli troops combed the Hebron area for the teenagers.
Mr. Qawasmeh’s family declined to speak to reporters on Thursday. Omar Abu Aisha, Amer’s father, said he last saw his son dancing at a wedding on June 12 and had had no contact with him since. The Israeli military took DNA samples from both parents, searched the house eight times and detained at least seven relatives, he said. He added that he did not believe any Israelis had been kidnapped and accused the Israeli Army of having kidnapped his son.Mr. Qawasmeh’s family declined to speak to reporters on Thursday. Omar Abu Aisha, Amer’s father, said he last saw his son dancing at a wedding on June 12 and had had no contact with him since. The Israeli military took DNA samples from both parents, searched the house eight times and detained at least seven relatives, he said. He added that he did not believe any Israelis had been kidnapped and accused the Israeli Army of having kidnapped his son.
The Shin Bet said it began to hunt for the two men immediately after the kidnapping of the three — Eyal Yifrach, 19; Gilad Shaar, 16; and Naftali Fraenkel, 16 — came to light.The Shin Bet said it began to hunt for the two men immediately after the kidnapping of the three — Eyal Yifrach, 19; Gilad Shaar, 16; and Naftali Fraenkel, 16 — came to light.
Officials said the publication of the suspects’ names at this point would no longer harm the investigation.Officials said the publication of the suspects’ names at this point would no longer harm the investigation.
Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the chief of the Israeli military, told reporters this week that, “as time passes, concern for their lives grows” — a statement that the Haaretz newspaper interpreted as an effort to lower expectations that they would come back alive.Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, the chief of the Israeli military, told reporters this week that, “as time passes, concern for their lives grows” — a statement that the Haaretz newspaper interpreted as an effort to lower expectations that they would come back alive.