By Aryeh Savir
JERUSALEM (TNA) — In fast moving developments since the burial of three Israeli teens abducted by terrorists, police released a cell phone recording of their murder; rabbis in Gush Etzion pleaded in Arabic to the Muslim community to stop incitement against Jews; and the IDF released the statistics of arrests and financial recoveries in the operation to find the youngsters who had been kidnapped on June 12 as they were hitchhiking to their homes.
After partially revealing the recording of the phone conversation placed by murdered teen Gilad Sha’ar to the police shortly after being abducted, the police fully disclosed on Tuesday the entire recording which lasted for two minutes and fourteen seconds.
The recording reveals what happened in the kidnappers’ car a short time after the boys were abducted: Gilad Sha’ar, 16, is heard telling the police ”I’ve been abducted”; the terrorists shout at them to put their heads down; then the sound of gunfire is heard, cries of pain from the boys are recorded, and then you can hear another barrage of gunfire, the congratulations of the terrorists, their expressions of joy for having ‘three’, and then one of them is heard singing. Shaar, and his companions Naftali Frenkel, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19, went silent.
In the background an Israeli radio channel is playing. The officers responding to the call ask for a response, but receive none. The police did not realize the seriousness of the call at the time and failed to respond quickly.Because of the police’s failure to act, the killers had enough time to hide the bodies and make their escape. It took 18 days to recover the bodies, and the terrorists themselves have not been caught yet. Subsequently, several officers were removed from their positions because of their failure.
The call appeared to have disrupted the kidnappers’ plans, who decided to shoot the teens immediately, while still in the car. It appears that this was not their initial intention.
Eulogizing his son, Ofir Sha’ar spoke of the pride he felt when hearing the recording. It is a testimony to the boy’s bravery and resourcefulness.
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In Gush Etzion, a group of Israeli rabbis named ‘Derech Emaunah’ (Path of Faith) sent a letter to some 50 Muslim spiritual leaders in Judea Samaria and Gaza, including to the heads of Bir Zeit University and leaders associated with Hamas, as well as Arab MK’s Hanin Zoabi and Ibrahim Tsarsur, demanding they cease to incite to murder and Jew hatred, warning that their actions have consequences.
Addressed to ‘Muslim religious figures in Judea, Samaria and Gaza – Cadis, Sheikhs, Imams and heads of the school’ the letter in Arabic states the rabbis are turning to them ‘in the name of the Torah of Israel.’
“You have all heard of the kidnapping of the three Yeshiva students in Gush Etzion. As Muslim religious leaders, your power to influence the local public is immense. Any honest individual knows that the incitement in the mosques on Fridays and the school curricula full of hatred of Jews are directly responsible for the spelling of our children’s blood. Our children’s blood is dripping from many of your hands,” states the letter.
“It is of significance for us to clarify – the Jewish Nation has returned to the Land of Israel by Divine decree, after 2,000 years of exile. We are here to stay, and we will not leave our land, even if it exacts from us a heavy price. Hardship will not deter us. We are set here for all eternity. We have returned home. There is no force that can oppose the Zionist movement, which is led by God himself.”
The rabbis call on the religious leaders to change their ways. “We invite you to partake in this movement, to change your ways and to stop fighting against God and his nation Israel, to stop inciting in the mosques and stop educating to the hatred of Jews.”
The rabbis warn them of what will happen if they do not cease to incite. ”If you continue to incite against us ant try to oust us from the land, know that God will avenge us and will punish first the religious leaders and educators. Each of you will be accountable. We call on you in the name of God – repent, stop the incitement, cease the evil.”
One of the letter’s authors, Rabbi Baruch Efrati, a resident of Efrat in Gush Etzion, told Tazpit News Agency about the letter’s objective. “We authored the letter for three reasons. First, the truth should be stated, even if it has no effect; secondly, it is important for us that the Muslim leadership understands that our motivation is faith, not a sentimental connection to the land; and lastly, we wish to strengthen the Israeli public by this statement. I believe it sets the proper venue of thought, “said Rabbi Efrati.
In another development, the IDF summarized the results of the mission to find the three teens and to dismantle Hamas in Judea and Samaria.
A spokesman said 422 terrorists were arrested during the operation, 335 of them Hamas members, 12 of them organization leaders. Furthermore, 56 of those arrested were released during the Shalit deal and will now go back to prison for violating the terms of their release by returning to terrorism.
The IDF believes it has dealt a significant blow to Hamas’ political, military and civil infrastructure.
The IDF targeted Hamas’ ‘Dawa’ network, a social-welfare system that fuels support for Hamas violence. The infrastructure is further used for the funneling of funds and recruitment. The IDF confiscated 1.2 M NIS (New Israel Shekels) in 84 operations, dealing a severe blow to Hamas’ financial viability.
The IDF literally turned every stone and entered every pit looking for the boys. It reported that 2218 homes were searched, as well as tens of caves and tunnels. During the hunt masses of weaponry were uncovered and confiscated.
Additionally, 17 illegal buildings were demolished during the operation, including that of Ziad Awad who was arrested for the murder of Baruch Mizrachi on Passover eve this year.
In summary, the IDF believes it has achieved several of the operation’s objectives and his significantly hindered Hamas’ ability to operate in Judea and Samaria.
In the meantime, tensions are constantly mounting on the Gazan front, with the amount of rocket attacks constantly increasing, including two rockets that were fired at Israeli civilian targets from Gaza on Monday evening, July 1.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before the start of the Security Cabinet meeting Monday night, stated: “We have three tasks. First, to reach the murderers and all those who participated in the kidnapping. Whoever was involved in the kidnapping and the murder will bear the consequences. We will neither rest nor slacken until we reach the last of them and it does not matter where they will try to hide. We will reach them all even if it takes time. This is our first goal and it will be carried out. Second, we must vigorously strike at Hamas members and infrastructures in Judea and Samaria. We have already arrested hundreds of Hamas activists. We have closed dozens of institutions. We have demolished homes. We are still active. Third, is that we must act against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Hamas is continuing to encourage the abduction of our citizens and it is directly responsible for firing rockets and mortars at our territory, including in the past few hours. The IDF has been active in recent days against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip and here as well we are still active. If need be, we will expand the campaign. Anyone who thinks that they can achieve anything by using terrorism against us will continue to be mistaken and will achieve the opposite results. Hamas is responsible. Hamas has paid and Hamas will continue to pay.”
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Aryeh Savir is a staff writer for the Tazpit News Agency in Israel. He may be contacted via en@tazpit.org.il