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IDF uncovers Hebron terror facilities as search for kidnapped youths continues
The IDF has uncovered dozens of tunnels, weapons caches and manufacturing laboratories in the Hebron area as the operation to locate three Israeli teenagers kidnapped from the West Bank ten days ago continues.
Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaer, 16 and Naftali Frenkel, 16 were abducted while hitchhiking in the Gush Etzion area of the West Bank. Israeli forces have flooded the West Bank since then, carrying out extensive searches and arrests, especially targeting activists of Hamas, which Israel says is responsible for the abductions. It is reported that 37 further arrests were made last night and around 80 properties searched in Hebron, Jenin, Nablus and Tulkarm.
However, Ynet says that in Hebron, the elite Yahalom engineering unit has uncovered dozens of tunnels and hiding holes, some of which were storing significant caches of weapons. Many were located in residential homes underneath large appliances. In addition, around 20 laboratories for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also found in homes. A senior officer is quoted saying that some of these underground spaces were previously unknown.
Meanwhile, IDF spokesman Moti Almoz said that, “The working assumption is that the hostages are still alive” and that “We will continue to turn over every stone to get to them.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet yesterday “We have unequivocal proof” that Hamas carried out the kidnappings and that this information is being shared “with several countries.” Meanwhile, Hussam Badran, a Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip said that Palestinians are closer than ever to “direct confrontation” with Israel. Another Hamas official, Mushir al-Masri, claimed that Palestinians are preparing a third intifada against Israel.
In the Gaza Strip itself, which Hamas dominates, two more rockets were fired towards southern Israel on Saturday night, landing in the Sha’ar Hanegev region without causing damage. Meanwhile, a Palestinian from Gaza who had infiltrated into Israel was stopped by Israeli security near the community of Yated and was found to be armed with a hand grenade.