Netanyahu blames Hamas for the kidnapping of the three Israeli teens

IDF arrests 80 Hamas members in West Bank in response to kidnapping in a massive wave of raids; aim of raids is to "tighten the circle of intelligence" a senior security source says.

IDF trooops in Hebron on June 14, 2014. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE)
IDF trooops in Hebron on June 14, 2014.
(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN'S OFFICE)

Hamas is behind the kidnapping of the three teenagers late Thursday night, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Sunday at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, which was held at the defense compound in Tel Aviv. "This morning I can say what I was unable to say yesterday before the extensive wave of arrests of Hamas members in Judea and Samaria," Netanyahu said.Those who perpetrated the abduction of our youths were members of Hamas – the same Hamas that Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] made a unity government with," Netanyahu said. "This has severe repercussions," he added."We are currently focusing all of our efforts on bringing the abductees back home," Netanyahu said. Before the meeting the prime minister said, he spoke with the families of the captive teens. It's the second conversation he has had with the families since Friday.  "I embrace and encourage them from here, from the Cabinet table, and I know that I speak for all parts of the nation," Netanyahu said.Earlier the IDF arrested 80 Hamas members - including members of the Palestinian Legislative Council - in a massive wave of raids throughout the West Bank early on Sunday, as part of Israel's response to the kidnapping on Thursday. While suspicions appeared to to be falling on Hamas as being behind the abduction,a security source said the wave of arrests did not mean that Hamas definitely carried it out. He described the operational pattern of the kidnappers as "certainly being complex and different," suggesting that a terrorist organization was involved.  Hamas leaders Hassan Yousef, Wasfi Qabaha, Khaled Abu Arafeh and Mohammed Totah were among those arrested by the IDF, according to Palestinian reports.The military also declared a closure for parts of the south Judea region, from Bethlehem southwards.