Teenagers’ ‘murderers’ killed by Israeli special forces in West Bank

Israeli forces stormed a West Bank hideout early on Tuesday and killed two Palestinians claimed to be members of Hamas. Amer Abu Aisheh and Marwan Qawasmeh were suspects in the fatal abduction of three Israeli teens in June, one of the incidents that ultimately sparked the Gaza war this summer, and the targets for one of the largest manhunts in Israel’s history. According to officials, a recent breakthrough in the search led forces to the hideout—a two-storey building—in an area of Hebron about a week ago.

Today’s successful mission brings the long-term search to an end, and the perpetrators of the crime no longer pose a threat to Israeli civilians.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, Israeli army spokesman

The raid closes the book on the death of Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Fraenkel, a 16-year-old with dual Israeli-American citizenship, who were abducted on June 12 while hitchhiking home in the West Bank and killed soon afterward. Although Hamas had initially denied involvement in the attack, a Hamas leader admitted responsibility in the abduction.

Hamas praises the role martyrs Abu Aysha and Kawasme played in chasing down Israeli settlers and we stress that their assassination will not weaken the resistance.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu on the raid, via Twitter

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