The Shin Bet has identified Marwan Quasma, 29, and Amar Abu Eisha, 32 as suspected kidnappers, reportedly responsible for abducting 3 Jewish teenagers in the West Bank on June 12.

Although thus far no evidence of the abduction has been published (the Israeli government imposed a gag order on journalists covering the event), The Jerusalem Post reported “both men became wanted as soon as security forces learned of the kidnapping.”

Both men are at large and the Shin Bet stated the ongoing “wide-scale search” taking place in cities and towns all across the West Bank is “aimed at capturing the wanted suspects.” Indeed, over 560 Palestinians have been arrested during the sweeps and 6 shot dead by Israeli forces.

Reportedly both Quasma and Abu Eisha are residents of Hebron and members of Hamas. Both have been imprisoned multiple times by the Israeli military and both have been held as administrative detainees in the past. According to the Post , under questioning in the past Quasma “confessed” to obtaining raw materials for “the assembly of bombs”.

The Jerusalem Post, Shin Bet reveals identity of two main suspected kidnappers:

A senior security source told The Jerusalem Post that the Shin Bet confirmed the identity of the kidnappers within 24 hours of the kidnapping. He stressed the fact that both were in administrative detention in the past, a fact that he says shows that this measure is used against clear dangers to national security.



The additional suspects who have been arrested by security forces are part of the Hamas in Hebron infrastructure, and are suspected of playing a role in the kidnapping, the source said.



Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu related to the naming of the suspects, during a speech at a graduation ceremony for new pilots on Thursday, saying that now that the names were known, he expected Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas — whom he again praised for strongly condemning the kidnappings — to dissolve his pact with Hamas.

Thus far there’s no sign of Gil-Ad Shaer,16, Naftali Fraenkel, 16, or Eyal Yifrah, 19. Hamas has denied allegations that their members were involved in the kidnapping, calling the claims “stupid.”

(Hat tip/ just)