“It’s not clear who is considered the enemy – if it’s the families [of the kidnapped soldiers] or the terror organization who holds the soldier hostage.”

By Lauren Marcus, World Israel News

A notorious terrorist was freed and returned to the Gaza Strip on Sunday after serving more than 20 years in an Israeli prison, sparking outrage from the family of an IDF soldier whose body was kidnapped by the man’s brother.

Hebrew-language media reported late Sunday evening that Yusuf Masoud, a senior member of Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, was released from incarceration to a hero’s welcome in Gaza.

Masoud was arrested in 2003 for firing rockets at Israelis communities in the coastal enclave, before the 2005 disengagement saw all Jewish residents evacuated from the Strip.

One of Masoud’s brothers, Yassin, was killed during clashes between the IDF and Hamas.

Another brother, Walid Masoud, was the head commander of a Hamas unit responsible for the 2014 operation in which IDF soldier Hadar Goldin was killed and his body taken hostage by the terrorists.

The terror cell successfully seized Goldin’s corpse and refuses to return it to his family for burial to this day, as they plan to leverage the body as a bartering chip in a future prisoner exchange.

Tzur Goldin, the brother of the late soldier, told Walla News that the family had not been informed in advance about Masoud’s release.

“No one spoke to us until now, no one bothered to update us. Until today, we are being brushed aside, and this reflects the Israeli attitude and treatment of the families of hostages,” he told Walla News.

In recent years, Goldin’s family has been vocal about their feelings that the Israeli government has treated them with contempt during their quest to return their loved one’s body for burial.

“It’s not clear who is considered the enemy – if it’s the families [of the kidnapped soldiers] or the terror organization who holds the soldier hostage,” Tzur Goldin said.

By releasing Masoud, he added, Israel is emboldening the terror organization.

“Hamas is the one who sets the prices, who defines the language, and we are playing into their hands,” he said

As a result, he said, “Either we pay a heavy price and free terrorists, or we destroy our mutual solidarity, a supreme value and interest, without which our society will be destroyed.

“There is a supreme principle that we don’t leave a soldier behind. If you want to change this, go ahead, but there is a supreme principle [at stake.]”

The post ‘Playing into Hamas’ hands’ – Kidnapped IDF soldier’s family slams terrorist’s release from prison appeared first on World Israel News.

Israel should not pursue any deals with Hamas in Gaza without the return of Israeli captives and the bodies of IDF soldiers, Transportation Minister Israel Katz said.

By: World Israel News Staff

Transportation Minister Israel Katz said Sunday on his Twitter account that any agreement reached with regards to Gaza must include conditions for the return of Israeli captives and IDF soldiers’ remains.

“In the short-term, all aid to Gaza must be made conditional upon the return of captives being held in Gaza as well as the remains of IDF soldiers,” Katz tweeted.

An unnamed Israeli official was quoted by a number of media outlets as saying that Israel will not accept a broad agreement with Hamas on the rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip which does not include the return of the remains of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul and the two Israeli citizens held by the terror group.

“There will be no broad agreement without the return of the boys. This is unequivocal,” he stated.

The source underscored that the talks with Hamas, through the United Nations and Egypt, has one objective, and that is to obtain a complete ceasefire with Hamas. Nothing short of a full cessation of the violents on Israel border with Gaza will be accepted.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, is believed to be holding the remains of two IDF soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 summer war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident. The battle ensued hours after a UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding two Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas.

Katz added that a full ceasefire would lead Israel side to reopen the Kerem Shalom Crossing, which has been shut down in recent weeks, and renew extended fishing permits for Gaza fishermen.

According to reports, Israel and other countries are formulating a plan which includes providing massive humanitarian aid to Gaza and a long-term ceasefire. Israel hopes that part of the plan will include the return of all Israelis held by Hamas.

Egypt has been trying to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. As part of the negotiations, several exiled Hamas leaders have entered Gaza for high-level internal consultations.

The deal is being discussed Sunday by Israel’s cabinet.

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The High Court of Justice ruled that the state can return the bodies of three Palestinian terrorists to their families for burial.

By: World Israel News Staff

The High Court of Justice on Monday ruled that the state can return the bodies of three Palestinian terrorists to their families for burial.

Two were shot dead by Israeli forces during terror attacks and a third during an arrest.

The court gave the ruling after studying confidential documents which led it to conclude that returning the bodies is consistent with a government decision in January 2017 not to return the bodies of terrorists who were members of the Hamas terror organization.

The Goldin family, whose son’s body is held by Hamas in Gaza, petitioned the court against the government’s decision to return the bodies.

IDF soldier Hadar Goldin was killed and abducted by Hamas during a battle with terrorists in Shajaiya during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident. The battle ensued hours after a UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect.

The Goldins have repeatedly opposed any release of terrorists’ bodies if the move is not reciprocated by the Palestinians.

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“Due to the situation in Gaza, there is now an opportunity to bring back the soldiers and citizens,” Shaked stated. 

By: World Israel News Staff

Israeli Minister of Justice Ayelet Shaked said the developing situation in the Gaza Strip presents new opportunities for Israel to bring back the IDF soldiers’ bodies and captive Israelis currently held by Hamas.

Speaking on Wednesday at a conference held by the Lobby to Bring the Soldiers Home, Shaked said that “due to the situation in Gaza, there is now an opportunity to bring back the soldiers and citizens. The Cabinet is discussing the issue.”

According to reports, Israel and other countries are formulating a plan which includes providing massive humanitarian aid to Gaza and a long-term ceasefire. Israel hopes that part of the plan will include the return of all Israelis held by Hamas.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, is believed to be holding the remains of two IDF soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 summer war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident. The battle ensued hours after a UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding two Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas.

However, Shaked underscored that Israel “does not agree to Hamas’ suggestion requiring that we release rearrested Shalit deal terrorists as a precondition.”

Israel released over 1,000 terrorists in 2011 in return for the freedom of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and has since rearrested many who resumed acts of terrorism.

Hamas has previously communicated that it will reject any deal to return the remains of the IDF soldiers or Israeli civilians in its custody barring a wide-scale prisoner exchange.

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“How reprehensible of Hamas to cause such horrible suffering,” Jason Greenblatt said of Hamas holding Israeli citizens.

By: World Israel News Staff

Jason Greenblatt, President Donald Trump’s special Mideast envoy, met on Thursday in Israel with families whose loved ones are being held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, is believed to be holding the remains of two IDF soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident. The battle ensued hours after a UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding two Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas.

Greenblatt met with the Goldin, Shaul, Mengistu, and al-Sayed families.

“These families are suffering unbearable pain as a result of the shameful, despicable acts of Hamas. All Israelis must be returned and I pray for their families,” Greenblatt tweeted after the meeting referring to Goldin and Shaul.

“How reprehensible of Hamas to cause such horrible suffering,” Greenblatt said of Hamas holding Mengistu and al-Sayed. Greenblatt added a “heartfelt plea,” demanding that Hamas “send our brothers home!”

Greenblatt is in Israel to promote the Trump administration’s peace plan.

In September, Hamas refused a request by the International Red Cross to meet with the Israeli captives.

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Pushed by a lawsuit filed in the Supreme Court by the family of Hadar Goldin, Israel announced a ban on all Hamas members and families from receiving medical aid in Israel.

By: Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

The Israeli government announced Monday that no members of Hamas nor their families will be allowed to enter the country, not even for humanitarian reasons, Arutz-7 reported.

Until now, only a few of the terrorist organizations’ top leaders have been banned, even though the security cabinet had decided several months ago to deny entry to all senior members and their families as well as to restrict visitation rights of Hamas terrorists jailed in Israel.

The impetus for the original decision was to pressure Hamas into releasing the bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, who were killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. The terror leaders of the Gaza Strip have consistently refused to release any information regarding Goldin and Shaul, even denying information to the International Committee of the Red Cross. They have openly stated that they would return the bodies only in exchange for a large number of released prisoners.

In November, the Goldin family filed a lawsuit with Israel’s Supreme Court against the state, claiming that the government was dragging its feet in fully implementing its own cabinet decision.

“The time has come to change the reality and pressure Hamas until they send our sons home,” they said at the time. “We must make Hamas understand that holding Israeli soldiers hostage is not an asset, but a burden. The pressure must make it clear that Israel will extract a high price for every day that they hold our soldiers hostage.”

The State’s response to the Goldin’s petition was that it could only fully implement the decision now, as it finally has the ability to determine the identity of all senior Hamas officials and their family members.

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Following a request by the Palestinian Authority, Israel is increasing the power flow to Hamas-ruled Gaza.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz has ordered the Israel Electric Corporation to restore electricity to the Gaza Strip. Israel had minimized the power flow in June, in compliance with the Palestinian Authority (PA) government in Ramallah.

Following a new PA request, Gaza’s electricity will now be returned to 120 megawatts, as it was prior to June, the IDF’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated Monday.

“Israel is motivated by purely humanitarian reasons when it comes to this issue, and will thus reinstate the electric supply previously provided,” COGAT said.

COGAT is the IDF unit responsible for implementing government policy in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip.

Last summer, the Palestinian government asked Israel to cut the electricity as a way to pressure Hamas. The Islamic terror group seized power in Gaza in 2007 after driving out forces loyal to PA leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Amid a Palestinian reconciliation process, Abbas’ government said last week it would restore the electric supply.

The cutoff left the coastal territory with just four hours of power a day, and blackouts have worsened over the winter.

Hamas has denounced the power cuts as collective punishment.

‘Humanitarianism and humanity must be mutual’

Humanitarian issues are not one-sided, COGAT noted. The bodies of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul are being held captive in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, a clear violation of human rights.

Over a year ago, the Israeli cabinet approved in principle an additional 100 megawatts to the Gaza Strip, in addition to the current 120 megawatts already supplied. However, “The State of Israel will not act and will not finalize the additional 100 megawatts of electricity before humanitarian issues such as the return of the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul and the return of additional Israeli citizens held in Gaza are discussed,” COGAT stated.

Leah Goldin, Hadar’s mother, addressed the people of Gaza directly, calling on “mothers, fathers and children: the kidnapping of bodies is unacceptable and inhuman.”

“Every mother wants to visit her son’s grave and the inability to return Hadar for his burial is considered a crime in Islam,” Goldin added.

“The cynical use of corpses contradicts the human conscience. Do not be held hostage by the terrorist organization Hamas. Humanitarianism and humanity must be mutual,” she said.

AP contributed to this report.

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The UNSC recently held a special session on the fate of two Israeli civilians and the remains of two IDF soldiers held by Hamas, in contradiction with international law. 

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a special session on the plight of Israeli civilians and the remains of IDF soldiers held by the Hamas terror group in the Gaza Strip.

The US and Ukraine, members of the UNSC, co-hosted the “Arria-Formula” session – a special informal meeting of the Council.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, is believed to be holding the remains of two IDF soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident. The battle ensued hours after a UN-sponsored ceasefire came into effect.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding three Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas. A third Israeli citizen, Bedouin Jumaa Abu Ghanima, entered Gaza in July 2016.

Representatives from over 35 UN member-states took part in the meeting, with many stressing the importance of this humanitarian cause.

‘Brutal silence from the UN’

Dr. Leah Goldin, Hadar’s mother, addressed the Council.

“Our son was not the victim of a war, he was the victim of a ceasefire. A UN-sponsored ceasefire. There has been only painful and brutal silence from the UN,” charged Goldin.

“Three years after he was taken, our son’s grave remains empty. Not one member of the UN has taken real action to return our sons. Only words. My country acted within UN rules. I want my son back,” she continued.

Demanding that the UN continue to act until the Israelis held are returned, Goldin noted that “Hadar was not only our son, but a brother to his siblings. He also left behind a fiancée after he was taken 30 days before he was supposed to be married.”

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon urged the Council members to “look Leah Goldin in the eyes. Explain to this mother why she has had to wait for three long years and still has no answers. Why her family is still forced to wait to give Hadar the respect and dignity of a proper burial that he so deserves.”

Danon demanded that the Council not “allow this mistreatment of Israelis to go on one day longer.”

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN Volodymyr Yelchenko vowed to “do all it takes, again and again until justice prevails and Hadar, and the others taken, are returned home to their families.”

Professor Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and an international human rights lawyer, also briefed the Council.

“The denial of information about captive civilians, abducted and murdered soldiers by Hamas is a standing violation of international humanitarian law. And more: the refusal to patriate the remains of murdered soldiers – one of whom, Hadar Goldin, was abducted and murdered in violation of a UN-mandated humanitarian ceasefire – is itself an egregious violation of the most fundamental principles of human rights and human dignity that underpin humanitarian law,” Cotler stated.

Hamas refused a request by the International Red Cross in September to meet with the Israeli captives.

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The IDF has recovered the bodies of five Palestinian terrorists killed after it destroyed a terror tunnel. They will be used as leverage in possible future exchanges with Hamas. 

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

The IDF uncovered and retrieved the bodies of five Palestinian terrorists who were killed last Monday during the IDF’s demolition of a terror tunnel dug from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

“During ongoing operation to neutralize the terror tunnel that was targeted in Israel on 10/30, the IDF uncovered the bodies of 5 terrorists,” an IDF spokesman tweeted on Sunday .

The five terrorists are believed to be low-ranking foot soldiers and members of Islamic Jihad, the terror group that dug the tunnel.

A total of 14 terrorists were killed in the aftermath of the tunnel collapse, including two senior field commanders.

Islamic Jihad has vowed revenge.

Last week, Israel denied a request by the Hamas terror group, through the Red Cross, to approach the site and recover the bodies.

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) head Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai spoke with Jacques De Maio, the Red Cross delegate to Israel, in a conversation during which Mordechai “clarified unequivocally that Israel will not allow a search operation in the Gaza security buffer without progress on the issue of captive and missing Israelis,” COGAT said in a statement.

‘There Are No Free Gifts’

Speaking at an event in northern Israel on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel protects the country “with a simple rule: whoever tries to attack us, we attack them.”

The second rule, he said, is that “we do not give free gifts.”

“We will bring our boys back home, and there are no free gifts,” Netanyahu vowed, clarifying that Israel will not return the bodies of the five Islamic Jihad terrorists before its citizens held by Hamas and the remains of the two dead IDF soldiers are safely returned to Jewish land.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, is believed to be holding the remains of two IDF soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding three Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas. A third Israeli citizen, Bedouin Jumaa Abu Ghanima, entered Gaza in July 2016.

Hamas refused a request by the International Red Cross last month to meet with the Israeli captives.

Israel is expected to hold the terrorists’ bodies as part of a possible exchange pact.

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Meeting with the head of the International Red Cross, Netanyahu slammed the ‘”unbelievable cruelty” with which Hamas is treating captive Israelis.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer in Jerusalem, where they discussed the fate of three Israeli civilians believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza along with the remains of two IDF soldiers.

Netanyahu expressed appreciation to Maurer for “a very decent and very open relationship between the Red Cross and Israel that is very valuable for the Red Cross, for Israel and for peace.”

Netanyahu pointed out that Maurer’s visit comes at a time when Israel is concerned about Hamas’ “unbelievable cruelty as the bodies of its slain soldiers are kept, and even information about them is kept, and, no less important, innocent, defenseless civilians are being held in Gaza.”

Hamas is believed to be holding the remains of two soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding three Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian-Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas. A third Israeli citizen, Bedouin Jumaa Abu Ghanima, entered Gaza in July 2016.

Hamas Gives No Information on Captives

While visiting Gaza and meeting with Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar earlier this week, Maurer was denied his request to meet with the Israeli captives.

Netanyahu said that Israel has sought information about its missing citizens, only to be rebuffed by Hamas. He further expressed appreciation for the ICRC president’s assistance in this humanitarian effort “in the face of Hamas’ cruelty.”

Maurer noted that the Red Cross has been in the region for a long time and that this was one of its longest-running operations, adding that he was “looking forward once again toward having the opportunity to look into some of the challenges that everyone is currently confronted with and to see how the ICRC can eventually help with them.”

Netanyahu said he was sure that the ICRC could help, both in retrieving the bodies of Israel’s fallen soldiers and in bringing back to Israel the “defenseless, helpless civilians who are being held by Hamas in contravention of all international norms and the ideals that the Red Cross was established for.”

Hamas has not publicly released any evidence confirming the terror group is holding the Israelis, and their families have not heard from them.

There have reportedly been secret negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal on the issue.

Sinwar said Hamas will not release any information about the missing Israelis until Israel frees 58 Palestinian terrorists originally released in the 2011 prisoner swap, when 1,027 Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for Gilad Shalit. The 58 Palestinian criminals whose release Hamas is demanding were later rearrested for continuing their terror activities.

By: World Israel News Staff

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The head of the international Red Cross was in Gaza to discuss the fate of the five Israelis held by Hamas.

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Tuesday discussed the fate of three Israeli civilians and the remains of two IDF soldiers believed to be held by Hamas in a meeting with the leader of the Islamic terror group in Gaza.

Officials on both sides said the status of the missing Israelis was one of several issues discussed in the meeting between ICRC President Peter Maurer and Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza.

Sinwar said Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, will not release any information about the missing Israelis until Israel frees 58 Palestinian terrorists originally released in the 2011 prisoner swap, when 1,027 Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Those prisoners were later rearrested for continuing their terror activities.

Maurer reportedly requested to meet with the three Israeli captives, but Hamas refused to comply.

Alyona Synenko, an ICRC spokeswoman, confirmed that the fate of people detained or missing on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were among the many humanitarian issues discussed Tuesday. “The objective of this visit is to discuss various humanitarian concerns,” she said, declining to elaborate on Maurer’s discussions with Sinwar.

Maurer met with families of Gazans with relatives held in Israeli prisons, spoke to people affected by a 50-day war Hamas launched against Israel in 2014, toured Gaza’s sewage-contaminated beachfront and met with beneficiaries of ICRC agricultural and medical programs.

He also plans to meet Palestinian officials in Ramallah and hold talks in Israel with government officials and relatives of the missing Israelis.

Hamas is believed to be holding the remains of two soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, killed during the 2014 war.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident.

In addition, Hamas is believed to be holding three Israeli civilians who scaled a border fence and entered Gaza. Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Hisham al-Sayed, both said to be suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and were captured by Hamas. A third Israeli citizen, Bedouin Jumaa Abu Ghanima, entered Gaza in July 2016.

Hamas has not publicly released any evidence confirming it is holding the men, and their families have not heard from them.

There have reportedly been secret negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a deal on the issue.

As a humanitarian organization, the ICRC maintains a dialogue with Hamas. Synenko said the “pragmatic discussion” is needed to solve humanitarian problems. The Red Cross has previously called on Hamas to release the Israeli captives.

In June, Jacques de Maio, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel, stated that “missing persons, regardless of their status – fallen or captured soldiers during fighting, or civilians taken captive by an adverse party – are protected by humanitarian law. They and their families must be shown due regard under the law.”

“Persons captured alive must be accounted for and treated humanely. Human remains, too, must be handled with dignity, identified and returned to the families concerned,” de Maio said.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff

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Israel will not agree to release Hamas terrorists in exchange for Israeli bodies, Liberman clarified. 

Israel must not repeat the mistakes made in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange with Hamas, Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Sunday in the wake of criticism directed against the government following Thursday’s resignation of Lior Lotan, the government official charged with negotiating the release of Israeli civilians held by Hamas and the return of the bodies of Israeli soldiers killed during the 2014 Gaza war.

Following Lotan’s resignation, the family of Lt. Hadar Goldin, one of two Israeli soldiers whose bodies are believed to be held by Hamas, said they felt “abandoned” by the government.

“Following Lior’s resignation, we feel that we have been abandoned by the government,” the  family said in a statement. “Lotan’s resignation comes as no surprise, given recent events. Beyond the words ‘the government is doing everything to bring back Hadar and Oron [Shaul]’ the sad reality is that nothing has been done to bring the boys back.”

Liberman said that while he accepted the criticism of the Shaul and Goldin families “with understanding and with love,” he added that Israel would no longer participate in lopsided prisoner swaps in which large numbers of terrorists are released. He said that Israel must adopt the recommendations of the Shamgar Committee, which was formed in 2008 to create guidelines for prisoner exchanges. The Committee’s recommendations have not been made public and have yet to be formally adopted.

Releasing Terrorists Generates More Terrorism

The minister said he remains “personally committed” to bringing back Goldin and Shaul and the Israeli civilians held in Gaza, but also noted that many of the terrorists who have murdered Israelis in recent years were included in the 1,027-for-one deal to obtain Shalit’s release.

Among those released were “murderers and those who sent them; including Muhammad Kawasme, who was freed to the Gaza Strip only to fund the kidnap of the three teens [Gil-Ad Sha’er, Naftali Frankel and Eyal Yifrah, who were murdered after being kidnapped while hitchhiking near Alon Shvut in the Etzion bloc]; and Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza [who served 22 years of a life sentence for masterminding the abduction and murder of two Israeli soldiers] who is now making exorbitant demands that are preventing a deal.”

Liberman noted that seven Israelis had been murdered “with the direct or indirect involvement” of Palestinians released in the Shalit exchange and that 202 Palestinians released in the deal have been rearrested.

“Therefore,” Liberman said, “before appointing a replacement for Lior Lotan,” it is important to adopt the Shamgar Committee’s recommendations in their entirety and thus to draw a clear framework for the state of Israel and its envoys, and in particular to stand firm against our enemies and to clarify to them that we have no intention of compromising on Israel’s security.”

In addition to the bodies of Goldin and Shaul, Hamas also holds three Israeli civilians: Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed and Jumaa Abu Ghanima. All three suffer from mental illness and are believed to have crossed into Gaza of their own volition.

By: Ilan Evyatar/TPS

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Israel refutes reported progress with Hamas regarding five Israelis who disappeared in Gaza, while leaders express opposition to a terrorist-information swap.

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said Sunday there is no substance to reports that Israel and Hamas were close to a preliminary deal on the way to a prisoner exchange.

“There are no contacts with Hamas; there is an ongoing effort to achieve the release of our soldiers and civilians held in captivity by Hamas. There is no breakthrough,” Liberman told the Galei Yisrael radio station.

“We do not negotiate with terrorist organizations, there are various parties that are negotiating with them, such as Egypt and others, but we have no intention of ever holding direct negotiations with the murderers of Hamas,” Liberman added.

Liberman’s comments followed reports in the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar claiming that the first stage of a deal would be concluded within the next three months.

According to Al-Akhbar, which is known for its ties to the Lebanese Shi’ite terror group Hezbollah, Hamas would send a video with information about the fate of missing soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, both of whom are believed to have been killed in action during the 2014 Gaza War, and three Israeli citizens, believed to be in the group’s captivity after crossing into the Strip of their own accord – Abera Mengistu, Jumaa Abu Ghanima and Hisham al-Sayed.

Israel, according to Al-Akhbar, would have to “pay” for the information with the release of 25 female Palestinian prisoners.

A second stage of the deal, would lead to the re-release of 53 prisoners originally released in the 2011 prisoner swap for Gilad Shalit and then rearrested for violating the terms of their release by returning to terrorism.

Hamas is also demanding the release of Ahmed Sa’adat, the Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), who is serving a 30-year sentence for his part in the assassination of tourism minister Rehavam Ze’evi in 2001, and of Fatah’s Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life sentences for his role in a series of terror attacks committed during the Second Intifada.

Ministers: No Terrorist-Information Swap

Gershon Baskin, a peace activist who was involved in negotiations prior to the Shalit deal, said on Facebook that “to the best of my knowledge, there is no new Hamas deal in sight, not even close.”

Regardless of the veracity of the report, government ministers spoke out Sunday morning against a deal that would see the release of prisoners in return for information on dead bodies.

“You cannot release live terrorists for the bodies of our soldiers,” said Minister of Education Naftali Bennett. “We must increase the pressure and hurt Hamas so holding the bodies is no longer worth it. Kidnapping must be made a burden, not an asset.”

Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister in charge of National Security and Foreign Affairs, added that “terrorists should not be released, not for information, not for bodies and not for infiltrators who went into Gaza at their own volition. The Israeli interest is to pressure Hamas prisoners so that they leverage their leadership to return what they are required to return according to international conventions. We need to apply pressure, not to be pressured.”

By: Ilan Evyatar/TPS

The post Defense Minister: No breakthrough with Hamas on missing Israelis appeared first on World Israel News.

Israel stops family visits for 1200 Hamas prisoners in an effort to redeem an Israeli citizen and the bodies of two IDF soldiers. 

On Thursday, Israel denied family visits to approximately 1200 Hamas prisoners in order to pressure Gaza’s Islamist rulers to release Israeli citizen Abera Mengistu and return the bodies of two IDF soldiers. The soldiers were killed by Hamas during the 2014 Protective Edge military campaign in Gaza.

Israel’s Prison Service (IPS) declined to comment on the decision.

Hamas Prisoners’ Affairs Ministry rejected the decision, describing it as “punishment” and “a declaration of war against the prisoners.” The Gaza-based terrorist regime pledged it would challenge Israel’s decision “whatever the cost.”

Lt. Hadar Goldin’s family reacted by saying that changing the hostage equation was long overdue.

“For over two years, we have been demanding the Israeli government act to cancel family visits and improved conditions for Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails. The family believes the equation must be changed on the issue of hostages, with pressure put on Hamas to lead it to the realization keeping hostages is a burden, not an asset.” Alongside his comrade Oron Shaul, IDF soldier Hadar Goldin was killed when Hamas violated an internationally negotiated ceasefire during the Gaza War in 2014.

In April, Hamas chief Khaled Mashal demanded that Israel release security prisoners freed during the Shalit deal and later rearrested, as a precondition for negotiating the release of Mengistu and the bodies of Shaul and Goldin.

“One of the obstacles standing before a new deal is the fact Israel is ignoring its commitments,” Mashal said.

A long-standing policy of Gaza’s Islamist rulers is to kidnap IDF soldiers and Israeli citizens and use them as assets to demand that Israel release Hamas prisoners, including those guilty of murdering Israeli citizens.

By: Daniel Krygier, World Israel News

The post Israel pressures Hamas to release captive and remains of IDF soldiers appeared first on World Israel News.

The Red Cross is urging Hamas to comply with international law and release five Israelis who went missing in Gaza.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday urged the Hamas terror group, which rules the Gaza Strip, to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law and release five Israelis who went missing in Gaza and remain unaccounted for, including two soldiers presumed killed in action during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

The families of IDF soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul have been pressing the ICRC to intervene for the return of their sons’ bodies to Israel for proper burial. Hadar’s parents, Leah and Simcha, met earlier this week with ICRC representatives on the matter.

Shaul was killed in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya in 2014 when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident.

The fate of the other three Israeli nationals – Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, and Jumaa Abu Ghanima – remains unknown.

Jacques de Maio, head of the ICRC delegation in Israel, stated Thursday that “missing persons, regardless of their status – fallen or captured soldiers during fighting, or civilians taken captive by an adverse party – are protected by humanitarian law. They and their families must be shown due regard under the law.”

“Persons captured alive must be accounted for and treated humanely. Human remains, too, must be handled with dignity, identified and returned to the families concerned,” de Maio said.

“These are among the most widely accepted rules of warfare. The ICRC has consistently reminded the Hamas authorities, at the highest level, of their legal and humanitarian obligations, and told them that intentionally withholding information about missing persons is acting in violation of humanitarian law,” de Maio added.

“The ICRC is in direct contact with the families concerned and remains committed to ascertaining the fate of all persons still unaccounted for,” he said.

World Jewish Congress (WJC) CEO and Executive Vice President Robert Singer met Thursday in Geneva with ICRC President Peter Maurer to deliver a petition signed by 11,000 people on behalf of the Goldin and Shaul families, calling on the ICRC to press Hamas for the release of the soldiers’ bodies.

“We have faith that the Red Cross will act honorably in accordance with its mandate and do everything possible to have the bodies of these soldiers repatriated,” Singer said after the meeting.

Israel and Hamas have negotiated on the issue. The terror group has rejected various Israeli offers.

By: World Israel News Staff

The post Red Cross presses Hamas to release captive Israelis, bodies of IDF soldiers appeared first on World Israel News.

The Goldins reached out to Ambassador Haley for help in bringing their slain son for burial in Israel. 

Leah and Dr. Simha Goldin, the parents of IDF solider Lt. Hadar Goldin who was killed during Operation Protective Edge and whose body is held by the Hamas terror organization, met on Wednesday with US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

Goldin was killed and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip during a UN sponsored ceasefire in August 2014, towards the end of the counter-terror campaign.

During their meeting, the Goldin family requested that Haley assist in their efforts to return Hadar and IDF Sgt. Oron Shaul, whose body is also held by Hamas, for burial in Israel.

“We thank Ambassador Haley for meeting with the Goldin family,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

“Hadar was killed and kidnapped by despicable terrorists during a UN sponsored ceasefire and we won’t rest until this organization ensures his and Oron’s return for proper burial in Israel,” Danon continued.

“We appreciate Ambassador Haley’s willingness to assist us in the return of our sons and we hope that these efforts bear fruit as soon as possible,” added Leah and Simha Goldin.

Goldin was abducted by Hamas and killed during a battle with Hamas terrorists in Shajaiya. Two other IDF soldiers also died in the incident

Shaul died in battle together with another six Golani soldiers in Shajaiya when their armored personnel carrier was hit by an anti-tank rocket. His body was never recovered and is assumed to be held by Hamas.

Avra Mangisto and Hisham Al-Sayed are two Israeli civilians believed to be held by Hamas after entering the Strip on their own.

Hamas recently claimed that it turned down an Israeli offer for a prisoner swap in exchange for two Israeli citizens and the remains of two IDF soldiers.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

The post US Ambassador to UN meets with parents of IDF soldier whose body is held by Hamas appeared first on World Israel News.