Confused ’Israel’ on Alert: 3 Settlers Went Missing near WB
Local Editor
"Israeli" forces detained several Palestinian men and women in al-Khalil in the southern West Bank as a search continued overnight and Saturday morning for three missing Zionist settlers, who disappeared from a "Gush Etzion" settlement al-Khalil and Bethlehem.
Palestinian security sources and locals stated that large numbers of "Israeli" troops deployed Saturday in the al-Khalil neighborhoods of Beer al-Mahjar, Ein Sara, Nimra and Ras al-Joura.
In addition, "Israeli" forces stormed several al-Khalil-area villages and towns including Dura, al-Samu, Tarqumia, and Beit Kahil. Soldiers also deployed in the main road near al-Fawwar refugee camp south of al-Khalil.
"Israeli" forces flew a drone and a number of military surveillance blimps over al-Khalil while several checkpoints were erected on the ground.
"Israeli" troops also broke into the home of Palestinian journalist Yusri al-Jamal in the Abu Sneina neighborhood of al-Khalil.
Al-Jamal revealed that the soldiers broke open the main door of his apartment using explosives before they inspected the house strictly and detained his brother Yasser. He added that during the inspection, the soldiers cuffed him and his brother Khamis for about three hours. Al-Jamal highlighted that "Israeli" troops detained Alaa Abu Zeina and Shadi Abu Zeina after ransacking their homes.
Furthermore, local sources said "Israeli" forces arrested seven Palestinian men and two women in northern al-Khalil. Ammar Muhammad Abu Eisha, Othman al-Qawasmi, Dirara Abu Munshar, Iyad Abdul-Nabi Shabana, Marwan al-Qawasmi, and his brothers Sharif and Bilal were detained in al-Khalil along with two women.
One was identified as Ikram Hasan Abu Eisha and the other as the wife of Marwan Saadi Abdul-Afou.
Later, an "Israeli" official familiar said that one of the missing settlers was an American and that "Israeli" authorities notified US Ambassador Dan Shapiro. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he wasn't authorized to publicly brief journalists.
For his part, "Israeli" PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Israel" is 'making every effort' to find them. He earlier said the Palestinian Authority is responsible for the the "Israelis'" safety.
Adnan Demeiri, spokesman of the Palestinian security services, dismissed Netanyahu's claims, saying the teens' disappearance happened in an area under "Israeli" security protection.
This comes as Netanyahu held an emergency meeting Friday afternoon at Tel Aviv headquarters. Among the officials taking part in the meeting were War Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharanovich, Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen and "Israeli" Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.
Gantz also met on Saturday morning with Army Intelligence head Aviv Kochavi, the head of the army's Operations Directorate Yoav Har-Even, GOC Central Command Nitzan Alon, and other "Israeli" military chiefs for an evaluation of the situation.
The Zionist security sources warned early Saturday that as time goes by, it would be harder to solve this puzzle.
The first 24 hours, which have already passed without a breakthrough, are usually the "key 24 hours" for intelligence gathering. While there are leads, they are not ones that would immediately bring to finding the missing "Israelis".
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
Comments
person meg
Perhaps
..they have been "detained" as are so many Palestinian youths. Perhaps this is a drill or an excuse or maybe still, perhaps these kids stepped on an "Israeli" mine.
