BICOM

Israel’s security forces continued to arrest Hamas activists as the search for three kidnapped teenagers entered a seventh day.

The search, which has been officially named “Operation Brother’s Keeper”, continued in earnest, with dozens of Hamas activists apprehended in the early hours of this morning. Israel’s government has said that Hamas is responsible for the abduction of Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaer, and Naftali Frenkel, both 16, who disappeared last week while hitchhiking in the West Bank.

The Israeli operation has so far focused on Hebron and Nablus. However, Army Radio said this morning that there was gunfire in Jenin as IDF troops tackled armed Palestinians. Last night, a Palestinian vehicle attempted to run over IDF personnel near Bethlehem, but Israeli soldiers opened fire on the vehicle which eventually escaped. At a special briefing yesterday, an IDF spokesman, Moti Almoz said that, “The military operations are continuing at full force.”

Also yesterday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed opposition leader and Labour Party head Isaac Herzog, who said that he fully backs the army’s efforts. Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon met with the families of the kidnapped youngsters yesterday and gave them a full update on the operation.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Air Force struck targets in the Gaza Strip last night following rocket fire on southern Israeli communities. Four rockets fell in the Sha’ar Hanegev region of southern Israel at around 9.45pm. One struck a home in a local Israeli community, causing damage, although no injuries were reported. In response, Israel’s Air Force launched strikes against five targets in the Gaza Strip, which the IDF identified as a rocket launcher and other terrorist facilities. Palestinian reports said that one person was wounded.

Last night’s incident follows several instances of rocket fire on Israel from the Gaza Strip during the past week. Earlier this week, the Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted two rockets heading for the city of Ashkelon.