Palestinian activists call for destruction of CCTV footage in attempt to frustrate IDF search

Families of Palestinian prisoners celebrate the “abduction” of the three students by handing out sweets to passersby.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Israeli soldiers patrol the West Bank City of Hebron June 13, 2014 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Israeli soldiers patrol the West Bank City of Hebron June 13, 2014
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Fatah and Hamas activists called on Palestinian shopkeepers and businessmen in Hebron to destroy any CCTV footage that could be used by the IDF to locate the three missing yeshiva students.
They posted their call on social media networking, especially Facebook and Twitter, after IDF soldiers reportedly confiscated some security cameras from a number of businesses and homes in Hebron as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the students.
Eyewitnesses said Fatah activists in Hebron confiscated some security cameras to prevent the IDF from laying its hands on them.
Palestinians said over the weekend the three students might have been kidnapped as part of an attempt to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
In the Gaza Strip, families of Palestinian prisoners celebrated the “abduction” of the three students by handing out sweets to passersby.
Many Palestinian political activists in the West Bank and Gaza Strip expressed hope on Facebook and Twitter that Israel would be forced to release a large number of prisoners in return for the students.