The Murder of the Three Israeli Students (2014)

May peace soon come to the Holy Land.

On June 12, 2014 three Israeli teenagers hiking home after a day of school in the West Bank were abducted by Palestinians linked to a cell of Hamas that was known for disregarding orders from Hamas. While the three abducted Israelis were being transported by their kidnappers one of the Israelis tried to make an emergency phone call on his cellphone. He was spotted by the kidnappers and shortly afterwards the three Israelis were murdered. Gunfire was heard on the phone call. The call was heard by the authorities. Hearing the scuffle at the end it seemed most likely that the three had already been murdered. But the call was placed under a gag order and the phone call was kept away from public release until after the three had been discovered. The fact that there was a phone call came out on June 15, 2014 but the call itself was not released to the public until after the three slain teenagers had been found.

One disturbing accusation that is to be found in Max Blumenthal's book, The 51 Day War, is the assertion that Israeli authorities knew it was most likely the three were already slain but this possibility was downplayed to the public thus making the Israeli public whipped up into a furor by giving them a false sense of hope that the three would be found and returned alive. As early as June 15, 2014 some were worried this kidnapping would be used as a pretext to go to war in Gaza. The Israeli government had previously denounced the unity government established between Fatah and Hamas on June 2, 2014.  

The Israeli public was most saddened, distressed and angry at the abduction of the three. It was not public knowledge that they had in all likelihood already been killed. It appears the Israeli public was misled. Will anyone who made this decision to keep the Israeli public uninformed of this most pertinent information be held accountable? Why give the Israeli public this false hope when relevant information indicating the three had already been murdered could have been given to the public?

Let us take a look at what it was like in Israel as the nation was distressed at the abduction of the three as noted by Arutz Sheva in the following articles. So many Israelis hoped that the three might be soon returned while they were denied the knowledge that it was most likely that the three had already been murdered.

Arutz Sheva is a far right media outlet in Israel that caters for national religious Israeli Jews. It is closely associated with the settlers in the West Bank. Its headquarters are in Beit El, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Many Israeli Jews are nothing like those who write for Arutz Sheva.  

Summarizing what someone said does not indicate agreement.

***

 The Palestinian Authority promised to assist Israel in finding the abducted teenagers.

An official statement issued by Abbas’s spokesman and quoted by Israel’s Channel 2 News said, “The Palestinian Authority hopes the boys will be found and we will help Israel in searching for them.”
The statement added, “The incident occurred in Area C and in previous cases in which Israelis entered the territory of the Palestinian Authority, security personnel helped transfer them safely back to Israel.” (June 14, 2014.)

One Arutz Sheva columnist mentioned how widespread concern about the three was.

Last night, hundreds prayed for them at the Western Wall. Their fate was discussed at every Sabbath table including my own and in many synagogues around the world. (June 14, 2014.)

On June 14 it was confirmed that the three teenagers were kidnapped.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the three yeshiva boys who went missing Thursday were indeed kidnapped by terrorists.
"Our boys were kidnapped by a terrorist organization. There is no doubt about that," the Prime Minister said in an official statement after an emergency security meeting with the Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff, adding that an intensive effort is being made to avoid the kidnapped students being smuggled out the Hevron area.

"We are in the midst of a widespread operation to locate and bring back the three young yeshiva students. I spoke with their parents, and I told them that we are doing everything possible and more to bring back their boys, who are also our children." (June 14, 2014.)

While this massive search operation was underway the Israeli public were denied knowledge of the phone call. This denial of information and assertions that it was assumed the three were still alive gave many Israelis, including the families and friends of the three, the false hope that the three might be found alive.

On June 14 it was reported that the Israeli police had delayed informing the IDF for several hours informing of one parent's concern about the three.

And while the IDF search began on Friday, damning claims of have surfaced Saturday night, with sources saying that police in Kiryat Arba knew about the kidnapping for hours before informing the IDF, Walla! News reports.
According to the Israeli daily, the Kiryat Arba police were informed of the kidnapping shortly after the abduction Thursday evening. Police forces eventually set up a checkpoint to make sure that the boys would not leave Hevron, sources said - but did not actually inform the IDF of the kidnapping until several hours later, at nearly 4:00 am Friday. (June 14, 2014.)

The Israeli cabinet meeting was held in Tel Aviv to be close to the IDF as they conducted searches. A transcript of the speech confirming the kidnapping may be seen in the article. (June 14, 2014.)

One June 15 it was reported that little was known about the kidnapping itself.

IDF and other security forces continue to scour the Hevron region where the boys are believed to be being held, but officials are remaining tight-lipped about the progress of the investigation, or indeed how much they know about the circumstances of the kidnappings themselves. (June 15, 2014.)

On June 15 it was reported that Hebron was closed down and the border crossings into Gaza was closed.

In the wake of the kidnapping of three Israeli yeshiva students, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon ordered on Saturday night that a closure be imposed on the Hevron area and that border crossings to Gaza be shut down.
During the closure, entry into Israel will only be permitted in humanitarian and medical cases, all subject to the approval of the Civil Administration. (June 15, 2014.)

Closing the border with Gaza would have done nothing to find the three abducted teenagers. They would have to go to of the West Bank, through Israel and somehow into Gaza. It was a most unlikely development.

A massive prayer rally was held on Saturday night to pray for the three boys' return. (June 15, 2014.)

It was reported June 15 that Netanyahu announced that Hamas was behind the abduction. (June 15, 2014.)

Naftali Bennett promised to respond with an iron fist. (June 15, 2014.)

On Sunday national religious schools held a prayer rally. (June 15, 2014.)

The mother of one of the three spoke to reporters. (June 15, 2014.)

Some Israeli activists were recording what the Israeli soldiers were up to in one Palestinian village and were shooed away. An article "reported" this as "leftists" trying to help the murderous abductors, a highly inflammatory accusation.

Residents of a Hevron-area town suspect that leftists tried to help kidnappers of Eyal Yifrah, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel.
Residents of a Hevron-area town suspect that radical leftist groups tried to “lend a hand” to the kidnappers of three Israeli teens Saturday, when they entered a town in the southern Hevron Hills and began taking photos and video of homes in the town, forcing IDF soldiers to leave off the search for the missing teens and shoo away the “activists.” (June 15, 2014.)

On June 15 it the phone call was finally reported.

One of the three youths abducted Thursday night called the police hotline immediately after the abduction - but was ignored as police thought the call was a prank, reports IDF Radio Sunday.
The call was received at 10:25 p.m. The youth whispered: "We've been abducted! We are being kidnapped."
The call lasted about two minutes and additional noises could be heard in it. It is being investigated....
This information was under a gag order, which was ifted [sic] Sunday. (June 15, 2014.)

Minister visited one of the families of one of the abducted. (June 15, 2014.)

Thousands went to pray for the three. (June 15, 2014.)

Hassan Youssef was arrested. (June 15, 2014.)

Some of the Jews returning from the mass prayers were attacked by Palestinians. (June 16, 2014.)

The Red Cross called for the teenagers' release. (June 16, 2014.)

Prominent Hamas official arrested. (June 16, 2014.)

Border Police personnel were shot at in the night. (June 16, 2014.)

It was reported on June 16, 2014 that a 19 year old Palestinian was shot by Israeli personnel. It is alleged he throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers. He would be the first of thousands of Palestinians who would die violently in the coming months.

Ahmad Arafat, 19, was reportedly shot in the town of Jelazoun [near Ramallah] while being part of a mob throwing stones at IDF soldiers, who were searching for the three yeshiva students who were kidnapped by terrorists last Thursday night.
Three combat soldiers were injured lightly during the clash, as stones and bricks were thrown at them. Two were treated at the scene, while the third was evacuated to the hospital after being hit in the head by a brick, with concerns that he may have suffered a concussion.
According to PA medical and security sources, Arafat was shot in the chest during the clashes, reports AFP. The sources were unsure whether the IDF was attempting to arrest Arafat at the time, leaving the details of the incident unclear.
The Arab sources noted that Arafat had been released from an Israeli prison just a week ago; they did not specify as to the nature of the crime that had landed him in jail. (June 16, 2014.)

One Arutz Sheva columnist proclaimed that the world did not care about the three abducted Israelis and complained that Michelle Obama took a selfie in solidarity with the hundreds of Nigerian girls who were abducted by the terrorists of Boko Haram but failed to make a similar selfie about the three Israelis. (June 16, 2014.)

A video of one of the abducted singing to celebrate a cousin's wedding was revealed. (June 16, 2014.)

Over 20 European MPs condemned the abduction. (June 16, 2014.)

An eyewitness mentioned encountering the three while they were hitchhiking. Tragically the eyewitness was heading elsewhere so they were not picked up. (June 16, 2014.)

Abbas condemned the abduction. Arutz Sheva condemned the condemnation for coming after four days. (June 16, 2014.)

Following an IDF briefing it was reported that 150 Palestinians had been arrested in the operation to find the three. (June 16, 2014.)

The hashtag "#BringBackOur Boys" went viral on Twitter. (June 16, 2014.)

Israeli soldiers were attacked by Molotov cocktails in Hebron. (June 16, 2014.)

One columnist stated that hitchhiking was a fact of life for many Israeli settlers. (June 16, 2014.)

Following an IDF briefing it was reported that that the IDF planned to crush the infrastructure of Hamas within the West Bank.

Israel will seek to deal a crushing blow to Hamas's infrastructure in Judea and Samaria following the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers, army radio reported on Monday. ...
Following the meeting, which lasted around 90 minutes, political sources said Israel would "attempt, in the coming hours and days, to try and overthrow Hamas infrastructure in the West Bank," the radio's political correspondent reported. (June 16, 2014.)

The leader of the opposition warned this might escalate the situation and called for restraint and to work with Mahmoud Abbas to find the missing teenagers.

But opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog said the Palestinian Authority had been helping efforts to find the missing teens, and warned that any major move could escalate the situation in the already tense Judea-Samaria region.
"It is clear now that the security coordination and Palestinian efforts to help locate the children are very important," he told army radio. "The war on terror will never end, it is vital. But in parallel, we must take all the necessary steps to calm the situation in the West Bank." (June 16, 2014.)

One columnist was angry that BBC and CNN had placed quotation marks around the word "abduction" in discussing the abduction in various articles of theirs. The columnist called for the BBC and CNN to be banned from Israel until they properly apologized for this.

There is no surprise in the code of behaviour of  both of them, clearly; but actions must to be taken in this case - it cries to the heavens. The state of Israel should ban the activities of CNN and BBC from the territory of Israel until there are full public apologies from both of them and guarantees by their managers that the professional duties of their journalists and editors iwill be conducted in a civilized, responsible, un-biased way. (June 16, 2014.)

One Jewish Home MK proposed rearresting freed Palestinian prisoners. The Jewish Home party is a far right party that caters for national religious Israeli Jews. It is led by Naftali Bennett. (June 16, 2014.)

The IDF assured the press that the many arrests in the West Bank were helping in the investigation. (June 16, 2014.)

A song was released calling for the three to be returned. (June 16, 2014.)

A video of one of the abducted singing just a week before the abduction was reported by Arutz Sheva. (June 16, 2014.)

About 200 American Jews prayed for the three in the Israeli Consulate in New York. (June 16, 2014.)

One columnist mentioned how the Israeli nation desperately followed the news of the search for the three and how they desperately hoped that the three would be found alive.

The abduction of three Israeli teenagers - 16-year-old classmates Gilad Sha'ar and Naftali Frenkel, and 19-year-old Eyal Yifrah - has struck a chord here in Israel. Almost everyone in this country is practically glued to their computer screens, searching with bated breath for information, almost as if they themselves were playing a part in the search. Desperate - really, desperate - for a sign of life, and to see the boys back in the arms of their mothers.
In every community - from "secular" Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Hevron; from Bet El to Bnei Brak; from the Negev to the Galilee - public prayers are being recited daily for their safe return. In practically every synagogue in Israel, every one of the daily prayers is concluded with the recital of psalms and a prayer for our brothers Ya'akov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah, Eyal ben Iris T'shura, and Gil'ad Micha'el ben Bat-Galim. (June 16, 2014.)

Human Rights Watch condemned the abductions but also condemned the mass arrests of 150 Palestinians in the West Bank as well as the closure of Hebron and closing the border with Gaza. (June 17, 2014.)

One columnist insinuated that the New York Times had slipped into "total anti-Semitic insanity."

This is not the time for Reporter Jodi Rudoren and The New York Times to allege “Israel’s rescue attempts destabilize relations with the Palestinians.” Unless the Times has finally gone over the cliff into total anti-Semitic insanity. Without a doubt that is the case. (June 17, 2014.) 

It was reported that about 40 Hamas members had been arrested in Shechem. (June 17, 2014.)

Naftali Bennett had said Hamas membership is a passport to hell. (June 17, 2014.)

Arutz Sheva condemns a statement by MK Haneen Zoabi saying that the abductions happened because the Palestinians see no way to negotiate with the State of Israel. (June 17, 2014.)

A critical discussion of this accusation against MK Zoabi may be seen here.

The families of the three met together for the first time. (June 17, 2014.)

A Yesh Atid MK condemned MK Zoabi for her previous statement. (June 17, 2014.)

The families of the three issued a joint statement to the press. ( June 17, 2014.)

The EU condemned the kidnapping. It is condemned for being made after five days.( June 17, 2014.)

Israeli cabinet gave orders to make prison conditions for Hamas members harsher than they were before. (June 17, 2014.)

It was announced the border crossing would be reopened. (June 17, 2014.)

One columnist asserted that terrorists operate with the support of the people therefore measures need to be taken against those people.

Listen carefully. If one is “coming” to kill you—even if they have not yet arrived… self-defense is in order.
As we know from all the blaring headlines, social media, United Nations resolutions, and BDS campaigns (to name only a few ), the terrorists have the support of their people, their police, their leaders—and a serious global cheering squad. (June 17, 2014.)

B'Tselem condemned the mass wave of arrests. Gisha condemned closing the border crossing with Gaza. (June 17, 2014.)

Members of a youth movement walked en masse on the streets singing encouragement to raise morale. (June 18, 2014.)

It is reported that 51 Palestinians who had been released as part of a deal to free Gilad Shalit in 2011 had been rearrested in IDF operations in the West Bank since the abduction. By this time 280 Palestinians had been arrested. (June 18, 2014.)

UN saying they had no "concrete evidence" that the three had been kidnapped. (June 18, 2014.)

Another song about the abduction was released and reported on. (June 18, 2014.)

Israeli envoy to the UN condemns the world's response to the abduction as weak. (June 18, 2014.)

It is reported that Jewish Home MK Shalit announced that those rearrested will have their pardons cancelled and be compelled to serve the rest of the sentence. (June 18, 2015.)

The Internal Security Minister discusses criticism of the police's response to the abductions and mentions that the call will be released to the public later. (June 18, 2016.)

Mahmoud Abbas' condemnation of the kidnapping is condemned by Arutz Sheva. (June 18, 2014.)

Drones were used as part of the search. (June 18, 2014.)

Iron Dome was being prepared for potential flare ups. (June 18, 2014.)

Although Arutz Sheva was angry at Mahmoud Abbas' condemnation of the kidnapping Hamas did not respond in that way and Hamas proceeded to condemn Abbas' condemnation. (June 18, 2014.)

It is reported via the IDF that a Hamas official praised the abduction referring to it as a "heroic capture operation." (June 18, 2014.)

International meeting of mayors called for the release of the three. (June 18, 2014.)

Yesh Lapid promised that those responsible would be caught.

Lapid also dismissed leftist and pro-Palestinian critics, who claim that Israel purposely provoked the confrontation to take advantage for political reasons.
"We did not ask for this confrontation - but let no one think they can kidnap or hurt our children and get away with it alive," he said. "We will hunt them, and their leaders, down wherever they hide and will severely punish them and those who sent them." (June 18, 2014.)

Prayer rallies held all over Canada. (June 18, 2014.)

The Palestinians of Gaza feared that an Israeli invasion would soon occur. This fear proved to be well founded. (June 18, 2014.)

An IDF briefing announced that Hamas figures who they wanted to arrest for quite some time were now being arrested.

'Following the abduction, we've been arresting Hamas operatives we've been chasing for a long time,' official says.
The IDF search-and-rescue mission to find three yeshiva students kidnapped by Hamas continues for its fifth straight day on Wednesday - but the IDF has done more than simply look for the teenagers.
"Following the abduction, we have been able to arrest several Hamas terrorists that we have been chasing for a long time," a senior IDF official stated to IDF Radio Wednesday. "We have expanded our operation to deepen our crackdown on Hamas. 'Refugee camps' in Judea and Samaria in the coming period will also constitute a target for military activity." ...
Over 200 Hamas terrorists have been arrested so far during the operation, including several top officials and founding members. (June 18, 2014.)

One columnist said that the world did not care that three young Israelis were abducted by Hamas operatives.

Israel should remember that the world just does not care. The world is quiet when Jews are attacked – and condemns us when Jews want to live.  And even if Israel does something they do not like – this too shall pass. Muslim extremists kidnapped Jewish teenagers – and naturally there are forces on social media that seek to equate Arab imprisoned murderer-terrorists with Jewish innocent teenagers. They are wrong – and we alone are right. (June 18, 2014.)

Prayer rally was held at the partitioned Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron officiated by one of the grandfather of one of the three. This was the same shrine that Baruch Goldstein attacked and murdered 29 innocent Palestinians in 1994. Hamas began targeting civilians with suicide bombers following that massacre. (June 18, 2014.)

IDF post in Bethlehem attacked by Palestinians in the night. (June 18, 2014.)

US State Department urged restraint with the search. (June 18, 2014.)

Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected Abbas' condemnation and called for him to end the unity pact with Hamas. (June 19, 2014.)

One columnist mentions that the political atmosphere is advantageous since the world is focused on other matters.

Israel's actions are taking place in a relatively benign international climate, because the entire world is focused on Iraq, whose lands are rapidly being conquered by ISIS, and the organization poses a threat to the northern Iraqi oil industry. Iran is involved, the US is sending troops and the world is hoping that Iraq will survive as a united country. What is going on in Ukraine also takes center stage, more so since the rebels managed to down a Ukranian aircraft and kill close to 50 government troops. In Kenya, the Somalian "Shabbab Almujaddin" militia  slaughtered masses of people, and the World Cup games in Brazil are much more interesting than the kidnapping of three Israelis and Israel's actions against Hamas in Judea and Samaria. (June 19, 2014.)

American singer Tony Orlando visited the families of the three. (June 19, 2014.)

Meretz MK Zehava Galon criticized the IDF operation in the West Bank as straying from the purpose of finding the three and instead punishing the Palestinian Authority. This was criticized as distracting from the search and putting Israeli soldiers at risk.

“We have to say it straight out: Operation Brother’s Keeper is losing any connection to its original purpose, which was bringing the kidnapped boys home, and is becoming an operation with an agenda of punishment against the Palestinian Authority," she wrote on her Facebook page. Galon went on to criticize Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, saying the measures he has been taking are “political, cynical, and hurt the attention that the forces on the ground can dedicate to locate the hostages, and unnecessarily endanger the soldiers sent to Palestinian cities.”
She continued, “We need to engage in locating the abducted boys and bringing them back to their families, not creating the conditions for the next abduction.” (June 19, 2014.)

Thirty more Palestinians arrested including two freed as part of the Gilad Shalit deal. It is reported that 53 freed Palestinians had been arrested by this time. (June 19, 2014.)

Hitchhiking among the settlers in the West Bank is discussed. (June 19, 2014.)

Israeli Rabbis call for the Sabbath to be observed early as an expression of solidarity with the three abducted teenagers. (June 19, 2014.)

President Shimon Peres hosted the parents of the three abducted teenagers at the Presidential Palace. (June 19, 2014.)

Israeli Ambassador to Italy condemned the recognition of the unity government. (June 19, 2014.)

An app to alert the police in case of kidnapping is released. (June 19, 2014.)

Islamic Relief Worldwide gets banned in Israel. It was accused of funding Hamas. (June 19, 2014.)

A prayer rally was held in New York containing people of numerous faiths calling for the three to be returned. (June 19, 2014.)

A video of one of the three performing in a play is made public. (June 19, 2014.)

Cabinet planned to approve $1.5 million increase in budget for the Israeli settlers in the West Bank. (June 19, 2014.)

An MK from a Communist like party condemned the mass arrests in the West Bank and warned the mass arrests was inflaming tensions between Israelis and Palestinians.

MK Dov Hanin of the communist Hadash party slammed the IDF campaign, saying that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was conducting “a campaign to tear apart the Palestinian government and to conduct mass arrests under the cover of 'concern' for the fate of the teens.”
The crackdown on Hamas, Hanin said, “just guarantees that there will be a further deterioration in relations between the two sides, the continuation of the cycle of blood and pain.” (June 19, 2014.) 

An MK for Meretz, Nitan Horowitz, questioned the necessity of arresting so many Hamas members and questioned if this would really help find the three abducted teenagers.

Writing on his Facebook page, Horowitz said that “we all want the boys to return home, and we understand that action is necessary to bring this about. But what does this have to do with what is going on right now? Why is there a collective punishment against thousands of people? How is this campaign helping us to return the victims? The campaign is just promoting tensions, and increasing the risk to victims, both Israeli and Palestinian.” (June 19, 2014.) 

It is mentioned that Congress and the Senate condemned the abductions from both Democratic and Republican legislators. President Obama is condemned as being silent about the abductions. (June 19, 2014

IDF Commander warned Hamas that kidnapping Israelis would not result in the release of prisoners. (June 19, 2014.)

A Facebook page that celebrated the abductions got banned from Facebook. (June 19, 2014.)

One Arutz Sheva columnist condemned Pope Francis asserting that he was silent regarding the abduction and was "complicit with Palestinian terrorism."

Through the Pope’s propaganda filled visit in Bethlehem, the Vatican’s ecumenical prayer in Rome and the resounding silence in the face of the three teens’ abduction, the Vatican has made itself complicit with Palestinian terrorism. (June 19, 2014.) 

A Hamas member in Turkey is accused of being behind the abduction. (June 19, 2014.)

A spokesmen for Hamas warned that if Hamas members in the West Bank were deported to the Gaza Strip then Hamas “will unleash the fires of hell on the occupation.” (June 19, 2014.)

A Fatah official discusses the kidnapping and says Israel only understands force. Arutz Sheva condemns this as justifying the kidnapping. (June 19, 2014.)

Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi led prayers for the abducted three at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. (June 20, 2014.)

Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope that the three would be found alive. Arutz Sheva condemned his condemnation of the wave of arrests conducted by the IDF in the West Bank. (June 20, 2014.)

Twenty more Palestinians arrested overnight. Stone throwing and use of Molotov cocktails against IDF personnel increase. (June 20, 2014.)

The home of the suspected Hamas member involved in the abduction is demolished in the West Bank. (June 20, 2014.)

A consultant with the Palestinian Authority is quoted to insist that releasing prisoners encourage kidnappings. (June 20, 2014.)

In Duma near Hebron a Palestinian minor, 16 year year old Jihad Mohammed Dudin, was shot to death by Israeli personnel. He was the second Palestinian who was killed after the abduction of the three. Thousands of Palestinians would be killed in the following months.

MK Dov Henin of the Communist Hadash party on Friday condemned the death of an Arab rioter, who allegedly died from IDF fire while taking part in a riot, throwing molotov cocktails and stones at soldiers as they searched for the kidnapped teens.
"A 16-year-old youth was killed today in the territories. The youth, Jihad Mohammed Dudin, was killed by a bullet that hit his chest," wrote Henin on his Facebook page. ...
"This youth also deserved to return in peace to the embrace of his family," wrote Henin, making a comparison between the Arab rioter and the three yeshiva students, Eyal Yifrah (19), Naftali Frenkel (16) and Gilad Sha'ar (16), who were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists last Thursday. (June 20, 2014.)

An interview of Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki with AFP is mentioned. Minister Malki was quite scathing of the Israeli response to the abductions. It is mentioned that 150 Palestinian homes had demolished over the previous week.

"The Israeli army has taken 300 Palestinians...they have destroyed more than 150 Palestinian homes since last week," claimed Malki. "Their reaction went beyond logic and what infuriates me the most is the lack of reaction from the international community."
Malki claimed Israel is "dragging" on the search for "political purposes," adding "if it comes to be known that Hamas is behind it (the kidnapping), then of course the unity government will be at risk. We are not going to tolerate and accept the fact that Hamas uses and abuses this kind of reconciliation government just to blow the national interests of the Palestinian people." (June 20, 2014.) 

At Al Aqsa Mosque some Palestinians threw stones at Israeli police personnel and two Palestinians were arrested. (June 20, 2014.)

Prayer rally held in Talmon, one of the hometowns of one of the three. (June 20, 2014.)

Yair Lapid stating that he prayed for the first time in six years after hearing of the abduction. (June 20, 2014.)

Netanyahu met the parents of the three. (June 20, 2014.)

Mothers from among the settlers gathered in Gush Etzion in the West Bank. (June 20, 2014.)

One columnist accused the Palestinians of having a culture that indoctrinates their children to become suicide bombers. (June 20, 2014.)

An Israeli singer released a song dedicated to the three. (June 20, 2014.)

Although Arutz Sheva seemed unwilling to approve of Abbas' condemnation of the abduction Yair Lapid described Abbas' words as "courageous" and called for the State of Israel to "break Hamas." (June 20, 2014.)

UN Middle East Envoy called for restraint regarding the wave of arrests then being conducted by the IDF in the West Bank. (June 20, 2014.)

Ten more Palestinians arrested overnight leading to 330 Palestinians under arrest. (June 21, 2014.)

A solidarity rally in Paris was attacked by counter-protesters in Paris. (June 21, 2014.)

An IDF officer said their working assumption was that the three were still alive. (June 21, 2014.)

Netanyahu talked to UN Secretary General Ban that Hamas was behind the abduction. (June 21, 2014.)

The search goes underground. (June 22, 2014.)

The settler group, Women in Green, held a rally at the post where the three were abducted. (June 22, 2014.)

Mahmoud Abbas made the following comments regarding the wave of arrests within the West Bank.

"I said the kidnapping was a crime, but does that justify the killing of ... Palestinian teens in cold blood?" Abbas fired. Palestinian medics claimed Sunday that two teenagers were shot by IDF forces; the IDF spokesperson's office has yet to confirm the reports.
"What does Netanyahu have to say about the killings? Does he condemn it?" Abbas continued. "Look at what's happened all over the West Bank over the past days, the violence and the destruction of homes. Is that justified?" (June 22, 2014.)

Netanyahu stated that he had proof that Hamas was behind the abduction. (June 22, 2014.)

An Israeli singer dedicated a performance of "Bring Him Home" to the three. (June 22, 2014.)

A private group offers a rewards of $140,000 for the return of the three. (June 22, 2014.)

The Deputy Defense Minister called for Israel to stop supplying electricity to Gaza. (June 22, 2014.)

It is reported that 350 Palestinians had been arrested. (June 22, 2014.)

Hamas warns of retaliation if the situation escalates. (June 22, 2014.)

The former Chief Rabbi of the IDF called for collective punishment of Palestinians in order to find the three. Chillingly he cited the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki seemingly as an example.

“Only with a sharp blow will we make it clear that Jewish blood is not cheap,” he wrote. “The same goes today: Only by dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which caused millions of deaths, did the US bring an end to World War II. In the end, the number of victims were smaller than they would have been both for the allies and the Japanese.” By striking hard at Hamas, he added, Israel would ultimately be saving lives, both Israeli and Palestinian. (June 22, 2014.) 

An angry demonstration was held outside the PLO Embassy in Paris. Among them were members of the
Jewish Defense League, a far right wing group founded by the late Meir Kahane. Meir Kahane's political party was forbidden from running in the 1988 Israeli election for being a racist party. Meir Kahane is listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an extremist. The Jewish Defense League is listed as an extremist organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center. (June 22, 2014.)

Lighting and cameras are to be added to bus station in the West Bank it is announced. (June 22, 2014.)

A campaign among Israeli youth to send "socks, underwear, toothpaste" and such things to IDF soldiers is launched. (June 22, 2014.)

Tunnels are discovered in Hebron. (June 22, 2014.)

At an IDF briefing it is stated that the working assumption is that the three are still alive. (June 22, 2014.)

A Palestinian video recreating the abduction is mentioned. (June 22, 2014.)

One columnist, a Rabbi, hoped for the three's return. He portrayed the settlers as defenders of Israel protecting the State of Israel from the establishment of a Palestinian state.

For years, the settlers in Judea and Samaria, and especially in “Gav Ha’Har” (the area between Ariel and Shechem), have lived with the fear of an enemy plotting to murder and have been attacked with stones and Molotov cocktails – and yet, continue clinging to the Land, building houses, planting trees, and starting schools that are constantly being filled with more and more students.
How fortunate are those who merit settling the heart of the country, and in spite of the dangers, maintain their blessed, daily routines – and with their very bodies, prevent the most serious danger for a massive amount of Jews in Israel – the danger of the establishment of a terrorist state whose sole purpose is the destruction of the State of Israel. (June 22, 2014.) 

Mike Huckabee visited the family of one of the three. Even though two Palestinians had been killed and about 350 Palestinians had been arrested Huckabee condemned calls for restraint. (June 22, 2014.)

IDF waiting for a mistake by the kidnappers to find the three. (June 22, 2014.)

AFP reports that two more Palestinians had been killed by Israeli personnel. They were the third and fourth Palestinians of thousands who would violently die in the months to come.

IDF troops shot dead two Palestinian Arabs in Judea and Samaria on Sunday in separate clashes that erupted as they made more arrests in the hunt for three missing teenagers.
The deaths raised to four the number of Palestinians killed since the IDF began a massive search for the Israeli students who disappeared on June 12 while hitchhiking near Hevron....

With the search now in its 10th day, troops shot dead Ahmed Fanawi, a 27-year-old mentally challenged man, in Nablus on his way to prayers, his family and medics said.

The army confirmed firing at a man who approached troops "in a threatening manner", saying he had failed to respond to warning shots.

But the military did not comment on the second reported fatality – Mohammed Tarifi, 30, who Palestinian medics said was shot dead during clashes in central Ramallah that wounded five others. (June 22, 2014.)

By this point already more Palestinians had been killed than the three Israeli teenagers who were abducted and murdered.

Ban Ki-Moon condemned the kidnapping and - to Arutz Sheva's chagrin - expressed concern of about the wave of arrests in the West Bank. (June 22, 2014.)

It is reported that 37 more Palestinians had been arrested. A former IDF officer asserts that the three were still alive. (June 23, 2014.)

Hundreds attend a prayer rally in Queens, New York to pray for the three. (June 23, 2014.)

Mike Huckabee addresses the Knesset. (June 23, 2014.)

The Hamas leader in Gaza states that a third Intifada has started with the wave of arrests in the West Bank. (June 23, 2014.)

An Israeli Minister complains that Palestinian prisoners can watch the FIFA World Cup. (June 23, 2014.)

At an IDF briefing it is asserted that the fact that no demands had yet been made is actually a good sign indicating that the three are alive. (June 23, 2014.)

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal's interview with Al Jazeera is mentioned. He stated that he did not know who was responsible for the abduction but praised it because it might lead to the release of Palestinian prisoners. (June 24, 2014.)

Discussions at the UN Security Council are discussed.

UN Undersecretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman told the Security Council at an earlier open meeting that the situation on the ground had turned highly volatile following the suspension of peace negotiations in late April and despite initial restraint on both sides.
He expressed alarm at the increasing Palestinian Arab death toll in Israeli security operations, saying more than 350 have reportedly been arrested, many injured and four killed.
"We condemn all killings of civilians and call for an investigation into any such deaths," Feltman said, according to AP. (June 24, 2014.)

A representative from an Israeli institution met with the parents of one of the three. (June 24, 2014.)

It is reported that 120 Palestinian homes had been searched by the IDF overnight. (June 24, 2014.)

It is mentioned that IDF soldiers are determined to continued the search. (June 24, 2014.)

Sisters of one of the three publish an open letter to the IDF expressing confidence that they will find them. (June 24, 2014.)

The mother of one of the three spoke to the UN Security Council. (June 24, 2014.)

Her remarks and plea for her son's return addressed to the UN Security Council are reported. (June 24, 2014.)

Mike Huckabee attended a dinner in which he promised to support Israel. (June 24, 2015.)

Netanyahu made a speech condemning Meshaal's approval of the abductions. (June 24, 2014.)

Two columnists from the United States condemned President Obama for not personally speaking about the abduction and accused the State Department of being even handed thus favoring the abductors and hampering Israeli attempts to find the three. (June 24, 2014.)

The IDF denies reports that activities are to be scaled down to only look for the three. (June 24, 2014.)

The Deputy Defense Minister condemned the UN Human Rights Council's condemnation of the wave of arrests in the West Bank. (June 24, 2014.)

Arutz Sheva condemns the release of a propaganda video by Fatah condemning the Israelis. (June 24, 2014.)

It is mentioned that representatives from North Korea and Sudan condemned Israel during the previous UN Human Rights Council meeting. (June 24, 2014.)

Plans to hold a prayer rally and musical gathering at Gavna, Gush Etzion on Tuesday night, June 24 is mentioned. (June 24, 2014.)

It is mentioned that IDF activities will be scaled down in the West Bank. It is speculated that this is because of the start of Ramadan on the coming Saturday. (June 24, 2014.)

It is mentioned that 369 Palestinians have been arrested including 57 who had been freed in the Gilad Shalit deal. (June 24, 2014.)

Netanyahu gave a speech at a Birthright event. He promised not to rest until the three has been found. (June 25, 2014.)

A Palestinian MP member of Hamas is arrested by the IDF during the last night. (June 25, 2014.)

It is mentioned that some Palestinians near Hebron were spotted going through the "security border" without Israeli authorization. It is speculated (without direct evidence) that the three may have been smuggled through boundaries in a way such as that. (June 25, 2014.)

Even though four Palestinians had already been killed and 369 Palestinians had been arrested the head of the Beit El Yeshiva called for the Israeli authorities "to go wild with rage over the kidnapping".

"Already 13 days have passed since the abduction of the youths, and we can't wait longer. We need to raise the level of pressure on the kidnappers and their helpers. We need to go wild with rage over the kidnapping without caring about the external and internal pressure," ...

"If the world gets angry, let them, if they condemn let them. In their hearts they know that our actions are a natural and just response," ... (June 25, 2014.)

Beit El Yeshiva is closely associated with Arutz Sheva which is based in the same Israeli settlement located in the West Bank.

A female Jewish Home MK is criticized by some for making a phone call during the Sabbath. (June 25, 2014.)

Mike Huckabee condemns the US for continuing to send aid to the Palestinian Authority after the unity pact with Hamas. (June 25, 2014.)

An American Jewish group produces pins to promote aware of the abducted three. (June 25, 2014.)

The mother of one of the three makes a speech to the Knesset. (June 25, 2014.)

An elderly 86 year old is injured in clashes in Hamburg during a rally for the three. (June 25, 2014.)

The IDF reverses itself and declares that operations in the West Bank will not be scaled back as originally announced. (June 25, 2014.)

Naftali Bennett praises the heroism of the mothers of the three abducted. He also states that Operation Brother's Keeper is the most wide ranging operation of the IDF within the West Bank since Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. 

He added that the government was doing everything possible to return the boys. "The role of the government is to work, and it works," he said. "Over the past two weeks we have taken an unprecedented level of action [the most since] Operation Defensive Shield [2002 - during the Second Intifada - ed.] on two fronts: the intelligence front, to find the boys; and to deal a major blow to Hamas."

"We have turned the situation upside down, from 'kidnapping and releasing terrorists' to 'kidnapping and re-arresting terrorists,'" he added, vowing again to "centralize the focus" on financial penalties against Hamas terrorist prisoners. Bennett himself had vowed to lead the government in this direction. (June 25, 2014.)

One columnist remarked upon the widespread show of solidarity for the abducted three throughout Israel.

Three children are kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists and the fractious and contentious people of the state of Israel become united in moments. The incredibly faithful and sensitive families of these boys have been heroic in their ordeal and in their incredible need to strengthen the rest of the people of Israel in in spite of their own  pain.

We have seen the people of this land and many others across the world, coming together in prayer, concern and solidarity. Mass prayer meetings of thousands have gathered at the Western wall, in Tel Aviv and in many other locations across this land. (June 25, 2014.)

The IDF reports that Operation Brother's Keeper will continue full throttle. It is also mentioned that a fifth Palestinian has died of injuries sustained a few days earlier.

In related news, a terrorist who was shot several days ago in Ramallah died overnight. The terrorist was shot and injured during the course of a riot. (June 26, 2014.)

That Palestinian was the fifth Palestinian to die since the abduction of the three. He would be the fifth of thousands of Palestinians who would violently die over the coming months.

Increased government spending on bus services in the West Bank is discussed. (June 26, 2014.)

The mother of an Israeli soldier who was killed during the war of 2006 condemns the previous release of prisoners in exchange for hostages. She called upon the Israeli government to ignore such tears. (June 26, 2014.)

A rally of mothers is held calling the release of the three. (June 26, 2014.)

A debate in the Knesset discussing an Israeli doctor mentioning his frustration and reluctance at treating Palestinian children after the abduction is mentioned. (June 26, 2014.)

Two suspects are named by the IDF, namely Marwan Kawasmeh and Amar Abu-Eisha. (June 26, 2014.)

The Defense Minister states that the three will be found. (June 26, 2014.)

The IDF discusses the implications of holding the rearrested Palestinians in jail. (June 26, 2014.)

The father of one of the two suspects tells AFP that his son did not do the abduction. (June 26, 2014.)

Two columnists from the United States cites the arms caches and tunnels found during Operation Brother's Keeper as evidence that the Palestinian Authority cannot be trusted. (June 26, 2014.)

Hamas responds to the announcement of the two suspects as an attempt by the Israeli authorities to obscure their failure in finding the three. (June 27, 2014.)

A Jordanian journalist is quoted saying that the three abducted Israeli teenagers are not civilians but are soldiers. (June 27, 2014.)

One columnist asserts that Palestinians are collectively guilty of the abductions and deserves to suffer for it collectively.

Collective punishment is a moral concept. It says you cannot punish every member of a group just because someone in that group has done something wrong. But in this context, the moral concept—like so many other moral concepts the Arab world uses against Israel—is inappropriate. It assumes that the ‘group’ is innocent of the crime(s) committed. But what happens if the group is as guilty as the transgressor(s)?
Common sense suggests that a group’s collective responsibility should justify collective punishment. But that is not how the world sees it. (June 27, 2014.)

And right after suggesting that Palestinians should be collectively punished he asserts that what Israel is doing is far from collective punishment even though by this time five Palestinians had been killed and 369 Palestinians had been arrested since the abduction.

And what makes this accusation even more immoral is that it doesn’t even apply to this kidnapping. What Israel is doing is far from "collective punishment". (June 27, 2014.)

IDF arrests nine more Palestinians and inspects 40 sites of interest. (June 27, 2014.)

The religious school where two of the three studied had its graduation accompanied with singing from an Israeli artist. The singer had just released a song about the three. (June 27, 2014.)

It is reported that top police officials dismissed the phone call as a prank. (June 27, 2014.)

Senator Ted Cruz gives a speech to the US Senate calling for the three to be returned. He lambasts US media for not giving the story enough attention. (June 27, 2014.)

One Likud MK proposed returning to targeted strikes against prominent Hamas individuals as was done during the Second Intifada.

"We need to act more decisively against Hamas, to strike at the senior level, to go back to targeted strikes," she said. "This equating them with the Palestinian Authority (PA) about whether they want peace or not [doesn't matter], it must be broken."
"It cannot be that Hamas [can] decide to kidnap and prey upon the entire country," she continued. "To bring balance, they need deterrence. Hamas will have to pay the price." (June 27, 2014.) 

A Palestinian citizen of Israel MK said that Hamas are not terrorists and said the kidnapping was an expression of dissatisfaction at living under Israeli rule. (June 27, 2014.)

One columnist criticized the mother of one of the three for speaking at the United Nations.

[T]he mothers of the Israeli students should not have spoken at the UN. They granted moral and political legitimacy to the world’s most anti-Semitic institution. The Jews must stop playing according their enemies’ guillotine. (June 27, 2014.)

Two columnists from the US called for the Obama Administration to offer a reward for revealing information to find the three. (June 27, 2014.)

Defense Minister informs the media that it is still assumed that the three are alive. (June 27, 2014.)

Dogs are used as part of the search effort. (June 27, 2014.)

UN Human Rights Office called for Israel to show restraint. (June 27, 2014.)

Students of a religious school in Hebron release a song about the three. (June 27, 2014.)

Two rockets are fired from Gaza. One of them causes a fire destroying a plastics factory. (June 29, 2014.)

Opposition leader assures the Israeli public that Mahmoud Abbas had promised to help find the three. (June 29, 2014.)

Twenty-five more Palestinians are arrested. Now 413 Palestinians had been arrested. (June 29, 2014.)

The mother of one of the three states that there is reason to believe the three are alive. (June 29, 2014.)

The head of Beit El Yeshiva called for "a tougher crackdown on Hamas".

The Ministry of Defense must step up its daily attacks on Hamas, he urged, and the real struggle is against terrorism and its supporters.

"[We must] hit Hamas leaders hard, to reduce their rights until they realize their own suffering and respond quickly to return the three boys," he said. "We must beat Hamas until they beg, 'take the boys and remove the shadow of death from me,'" he added. (June 29, 2014.)

Beit El Yeshiva is closely associated with Arutz Sheva which is based in the same Israeli settlement located in the West Bank as Arutz Sheva.

The parents of the three visited the site of the abduction thanking the soldiers searching for the three. (June 29, 2014.)

A mother of one of the three expressed her awe at a massive rally in support of the three in Tel Aviv. (June 29, 2014.)

UN Secretary-General Ban assured President Peres that the UN took the kidnapping seriously. (June 30, 2014.)

The President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, sent a letter to Netanyahu condemning the kidnapping. (June 30, 2014.)

The mother of one of the two suspects denies her son did it but said if he did it she would be proud of it. (June 30, 2014.)

It was reported that an Arab news source had said that the home of the brother of one of the two suspects had been searched by IDF personnel. (June 30, 2014.)

Netanyahu warned Hamas to stop the rockets that had been launched since Sunday night. Hamas denied launching the rockets. It is mentioned that so far since the round of violence in November 2012 other groups claimed responsibility for the rockets launched at Israel.

While there has been a steady stream of rocket fire even since the Operation Pillar of Defense "ceasefire" that was brokered by Egypt, the Gaza-based Islamic Jihad terror group and terrorist factions other than Hamas have largely claimed the attacks. (June 30, 2014.)

It is announced that five police officers are to be dismissed for mishandling the phone call from one of the abducted ones. (June 30, 2014.)

Netanyahu criticized leaders of the Palestinian citizens of Israel for not condemning the kidnapping. (June 30, 2014.)

Booklets advising how to kidnap Israelis in circulation among some Palestinians with one dating as early as 2002 is publicized by the Israeli Embassy in New Zealand. (June 30, 2014.)

An interfaith rally calling for the return of the three is held in Brussels. (June 30, 2014.)

The IDF launched a major sweep in the north Hebron area. (June 30, 2014.)

At this point the dreaded news is discovered. The three had been murdered. Their graves are discovered by the IDF.

The head of the Hebron Hills Council made a statement after the dreaded discovery. While mentioning the murder of the three he called for real estate expansion of the settlements.

“They murdered our sons,” .... “We cannot remain silent. These murderers must be the first ones to pay with their own lives for these murders. They must be brought to justice, alive or dead.

“The three teens were murdered in order to force us to leave our land,” .... ”We have to do the opposite – add homes, add towns, add lives. We must impose sovereignty on the Judea region. Only thus will they learn that their behavior doesn't pay.

“And in the area where these murdered boys were found, the relatives and friends of these monsters have no guilt, and riot, even at this moment. The entire area must be locked down immediately,” he added. (June 30, 2014.)

Upon the revelation of the murder the Speaker of the Knesset suspended the Knesset. (June 30, 2014.)

An Israeli pundit said the following:

“Until now, the working assumption was that be boys were alive, so they were careful when they entered buildings and caves, in case the youths were there together with the terrorists,” said a Channel One political analyst. “I can tell you for a fact that that is over. Since tonight, the default mode for soldiers is to first shoot and ask questions later,” the analyst said. "There is now nothing to stop the army, since the youths were found murdered." (June 30, 2014.)

Israeli MKs made statements reacting to the news of the murders. (June 30, 2014.)

Hamas warned Israel not to escalate operations against them or else. (June 30, 2014.)

Several settlements in the West Bank banned Palestinians from working within them. Some religious schools also banned Palestinians from entering their premises. (June 30, 2014.)

Netanyahu called for revenge.

"With a heavy heart, we have found tonight three bodies, and all of the information we have indicates that these are the bodies of the abductees - Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali," Netanyahu began.
"They were murdered in cold blood by human animals," he said. "In the name of the entire Jewish people, I want to say to the dear families - mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, sisters and brothers - our hearts are bleeding. We are crying with you."
"We will bring the boys home to be buried in Israel," he continued.
"Revenge over the blood of a small child is not the devil's work, and neither is revenge for the blood of a teenager or young man - who was on his way to meet his parents - and whom was never seen again," he added. "Hamas is responsible. Hamas will pay."
"May the boys' memories be for a blessing." (June 30, 2014.)

President Hollande and Prime Minister Cameron condemned the murders. (June 30, 2014.)

Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Palestinian Authority. (June 30, 2014.)

The US State Department's statement is condemned for calling for restraint and is characterized as "lukewarm." (June 30, 2014.)

B'Tselem called for restraint and stated their fear of revenge attacks and collective punishment.

“B'Tselem renews its call to the Israeli government to refrain from acts of vengeance for the abduction and killing of the three Israeli teens,” the group said in an statement. “B'Tselem cautions the security forces to avoid harming the innocent Palestinian population, or abusing the public atmosphere in Israel with the discovery of the bodies, to impose collective punishment, as was done in the past two weeks as part of the searches. The deliberate harming of an entire civilian population as punishment for the actions of individuals is both illegal and immoral."
“Additionally, the security forces must prepare for possible acts of revenge by settlers,” the group added. (June 30, 2014.)

Peace Now called for a resumption of peace talks.

Instead of revenge, however, the group called for "dialogue."
"The solution, and the way to avoid more casualties in the future, is to reach a peace agreement that would ensure peace and security of us all," the group continued. "May we see better days." (June 30, 2014.)

An Ultra-Orthodox Rabbi assured the Israeli public that prayers were not in vain. (June 30, 2014.)

Rallies are held all over the country upon learning of the murders. (June 30, 2014.)

The editor of Arutz Sheva writes an article entitled "Israel Mourns." (June 30, 2014.)

President Obama condemned the murders. It is condemned by Arutz Sheva as being balanced for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

“As a father, I cannot imagine the indescribable pain that the parents of these teenage boys are experiencing. The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms this senseless act of terror against innocent youth. From the outset, I have offered our full support to Israel and the Palestinian Authority to find the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice, and I encourage Israel and the Palestinian Authority to continue working together in that effort,” he continued.
“I also urge all parties to refrain from steps that could further destabilize the situation. As the Israeli people deal with this tragedy, they have the full support and friendship of the United States,” concluded Obama.
Obama’s statement on the murders follows those of the State Department and the White House, which limited themselves to a tepid “condemnation of violence” that appeared to apply equally to Israelis and Palestinians. (July 1, 2014.)

The Israeli Security Cabinet met but reached no decision. (July 1, 2014.)

The homes of the two suspects are demolished. This practice originated from British rule. Home demolitions are only ever applied to Palestinians. It is viewed as collective punishment under international law. (July 1, 2014.)

UN Secretary-General Ban condemned the murders and called for the murderers to be brought to justice. July 1, 2014.)

The Deputy Defense Minister said, "This tragic end should also be the end of Hamas!” (July 1, 2014.)

Details of the discovery of the three slain teenagers are revealed. (July 1, 2014.)

Tony Blair condemned the murders. (July 1, 2014.)

IDF announces Operation Brother's Keeper will continue until the murderers are discovered. (July 1, 2014.)

Only now is it mentioned that gunshot were recorded in the phone call.

An IDF source told Arutz Sheva Tuesday that shots could be heard in the recording of the boys' fateful call to police hotline 100, shortly after one of the teens whispered "we've been kidnapped!" (July 1, 2014.)

It is mentioned that it was known among the Israeli authorities that it was likely the three had been murdered shortly after the abduction.

While maintaining that the boys are considered to be alive until proved to be otherwise, security forces have in fact been aware that the most likely possibility is that the abduction went wrong, with the terrorists murdering the boys sometime late Thursday night, June 12, or early on the 13th. This is indeed what happened. The boys were then buried in a shallow grave near Halhul sometime before Friday morning. (July 1, 2014.)

The public should have been informed that gunshots were heard in the recording. It should have been said to the public that it is likely that the three have been murdered and robbed of the rest of their lives. Instead by assuming that the three were alive (despite the recording of gun fire) the public had this false hope that the three could be returned. The recording should have been brought to the public immediately. The public should have been immediately told that it was quite unlikely that the three would be found alive.

A video of one of the three singing during Memorial Day is mentioned. (July 1, 2014.)

Hundreds gathered at the junction where the three were abducted. (July 1, 2014.)

The Defense Minister made a statement after the murders praising the bereaved families and thanking the IDF soldiers who participated in Operation Brother's Keeper. (July 1, 2014.)

It is agreed that the three will be buried side by side. (July 1, 2014.)

The Diplomacy and Security Cabinet met but had made no decision yet. (July 1, 2014.)

One of the fathers of the three revealed that he learned of his son's death after a friend told him that Al Jazeera had said the bodies had been found. (July 1, 2014.)

It is mentioned that one of the victims had resisted the abductors. (July 1, 2014.)

In retaliation for the murders the settler group, Women in Green, established an Israeli outpost overlooking the junction where the three were abducted. It is named Givat Oz. This indicates that the construction of settlements is viewed as an act of hostility against the neighboring Palestinians by the settlers themselves. (July 1, 2014.)

A Likud MK called for the death penalty against whoever murdered the three. (July 1, 2014.)

The funeral is held. President Peres gave a speech discussing the murders. (July 1, 2014.)

The nation mourned the murder of the three students. (July 1, 2014.)

It is mentioned that Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas blamed Netanyahu for the murders by letting Israeli settlers live in the West Bank. (July 1, 2014.)

An Arab student at a tertiary institution in Haifa is put under investigation for celebrating the murders on social media. (July 1, 2014.)

Hamas warned Israel against retaliation and the Arab League condemned Israel as being responsible for the wave of arrests in the West Bank which are condemned as an escalation. (July 1, 2014.)

47 arrested after a gathering in Jerusalem commemorating the three turned into a brawl. (July 1, 2014.)

Only now is the phone call made available to the public. The chilling recording is made available. This recording should have been released to the public immediately once it was known that the three had been abducted. (July 1, 2014.)

During the funeral mortars from Gaza were launched against the Eshkol Regional Council. (July 1, 2014.)

A Hamas spokesman saying that the kidnapping was "an activity that failed" is presented as a possible admission of guilt. Hamas denied taking part in the abduction. (July 1, 2014.)

The IDF mentions that 442 Palestinians had been arrested and the equivalent of $300,000 confiscated. It is mentioned that 335 are affiliated with Hamas including twelve leaders. (July 1, 2014.)

US State Department is not sure that the three were abducted by Hamas and calls for restraint. (July 1, 2014.)

The Palestinian Authority condemned Naftali Bennett as racist. (July 2, 2014.)

The police responds to failings handling the emergency phone call. (July 2, 2014.)

Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely called for the death penalty against whoever murdered the three. (July 2, 2014.)

UN Security Council unanimously condemned the murders. (July 2, 2014.)

At this point it is mentioned that a Palestinian of East Jerusalem, Mohammed Abu Khdeir, 16, had been abducted the night of the funeral by three assailants. They drove him to a park and proceeded to beat him. It later emerged that while one of the perpetrators was beating him with a crowbar he shouted that this was for the three who were abducted and murdered and other Israeli Jews who had been murdered by Palestinians. They poured gasoline on him while he was still alive and burned him to death.

His body was discovered the next day. Naturally the Palestinians of East Jerusalem were most upset and saddened by this murder so there was a riot. One Arutz Sheva reporter was unimpressed.

Burnt body of Arab youth found in Jerusalem. Police are investigating both nationalistic and criminal motives, but Arabs riot anyway. (July 2, 2014.)

A Deputy Minister of Israel said the Unity Government between Fatah and Hamas led to the murders of the three. (July 2, 2014.)

And with that this account comes to an end.

***

The Israeli public should have been presented with the evidence that the three had likely been murdered shortly after being abducted.

May peace soon come to the Holy Land.