Terrorists Marwan Kawasme and Amer Abu Aysha were targeted overnight by ISA and IDF security forces in an operation to apprehend them. After the terrorists opened fire on Israeli forces, the suspects were killed, ending a three month long manhunt.
Overnight, security forces carried out an operation to apprehend Marwan Kawasme and Amer Abu Aysha – the Hamas terrorists responsible for the abduction and murder of Israeli teens Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel. With the help of precise intelligence and coordination between the IDF and ISA, the suspects were located in Hebron.
During the operation, the terrorists opened fire at the security forces. The forces returned fire and the suspects were killed in the exchange.
IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said, “The lethal abduction and murder attack prompted Operation Brother’s Keeper, during which security forces located the bodies of the victims and succeeded in striking and severely impairing the Hamas terrorist organization in the region.”
In response to the event, IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said, “We promised the families that we would find the murderers. This morning, we did just that. This isn’t a consolation for the grieving families,” he reiterated, “but I hope that knowing we reached their children’s murderers may slightly comfort them.”
On June 12, 2014, the Hamas terrorists abducted and murdered the teens who were last seen near Gush Etzion in Judea and Samaria. At the end of an extensive search and rescue effort, the bodies of the three boys were discovered near Hebron.
The IDF and ISA were working relentlessly to locate the terrorists since the abduction and murder took place three months ago.
Recruited to Operate in Hebron
Israeli authorities arrested Kawasme several times for his crimes as a member of the Hamas terrorist organization. He was imprisoned for the first time at age 18 and spent ten months in custody until August 2004. After Kawasme’s release, Israeli forces detained him again on four occasions.
In 2010, when security forces last investigated Kawasme, he confessed that Hamas’ military wing had recruited him to operate for the organization in Hebron. In 2009, Kawasme participated in Hamas-led military training, attempted to obtain materials for explosives, and helped the terrorist organization recruit new operatives. In response to these actions, Israeli forces detained Kawasme until March 2012.
Israeli forces first arrested Abu Aysha in November 2005. After investigating the terrorist, Israeli authorities transferred him to administrative detention until June 2006. He was arrested again less than a year later. In November 2005, Abu Aysha’s brother was killed while attempting to hurl an explosive device at IDF soldiers. Israeli authorities arrested his father several times for a range of terror activities.
