13 sept 2016
Special hostages and missing persons coordinator Lior Lotan says Israel offered to return to Gaza 18 Hamas prisoners and 19 bodies of its fighters, all captured during Protective Edge, in return for Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, but the Gaza terror organization set preconditions.
Lior Lotan, the prime minister's envoy on hostages and missing persons, said on Tuesday that Hamas has rejected several offers to swap all of its men captured—both dead and alive—during Operation Protective Edge in exchange for the remains of Israeli soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
The two soldiers were killed during the 2014 campaign in the Gaza Strip and their bodies were captured by Hamas.
"At the end of Protective Edge, Israel had 19 bodies of fallen Hamas fighters and 18 prisoners, captives who later were sentenced to prison terms—the longest of them being 16 and a half years," Lotan said, speaking at the World Summit of the International Institute For Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at the Interdiciplinary Center in Herzliya (IDC).
"Hamas, on the other hand," he continued, "has two bodies of fallen IDF soldiers who were killed in Saja'iyya and Rafah."
"Since end of the war, Israel has been operating through many channels to bring our boys home," he added.
"Since that time, other Israeli citizens have crossed to Gaza," he said in reference to Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. "These are sick people, suffering from mental exhaustion, who crossed over into Gaza and are being held by Hamas to this day. Hamas officials are aware of the distress that these civilians are in. This is not a security matter. Israel has found ways to send Hamas proof that this is a humanitarian, personal, humane matter—not a security matter."
Lotan went on to detail another offer made to Hamas "to return to Gaza all of the civilians who are in Israel—people who crossed into Israel of their own accord. And of course, we expect to get our civilians who crossed over to Gaza in return."
Lotan explained that these offers are not unusual. "These things are accepted norms in the world. At the end of every conflict, the sides exchange captives and missing persons—that's the norm. It was also done in our region, between Israel and Hezbollah—both before and after the Second Lebanon War. In unprecedented fashion, Hamas has refused this offer, and even put forth a precondition for the continuation of the discussions: resolving a case of prisoners who were not from the Gaza Strip at all and have no connection with the Protective Edge war at all. Of course, we cannot abide a precondition. It's not right practically speaking, and it's not right professionally speaking."
Israel is not officially negotiating with Hamas for the return of the remains of soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, and the return of civilians Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. However, it is conducting unofficial talks with the organization through back-door channels and intermediaries, trying to at least reach some understanding that might allow for the beginning of official talks.
Lior Lotan, the prime minister's envoy on hostages and missing persons, said on Tuesday that Hamas has rejected several offers to swap all of its men captured—both dead and alive—during Operation Protective Edge in exchange for the remains of Israeli soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
The two soldiers were killed during the 2014 campaign in the Gaza Strip and their bodies were captured by Hamas.
"At the end of Protective Edge, Israel had 19 bodies of fallen Hamas fighters and 18 prisoners, captives who later were sentenced to prison terms—the longest of them being 16 and a half years," Lotan said, speaking at the World Summit of the International Institute For Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at the Interdiciplinary Center in Herzliya (IDC).
"Hamas, on the other hand," he continued, "has two bodies of fallen IDF soldiers who were killed in Saja'iyya and Rafah."
"Since end of the war, Israel has been operating through many channels to bring our boys home," he added.
"Since that time, other Israeli citizens have crossed to Gaza," he said in reference to Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. "These are sick people, suffering from mental exhaustion, who crossed over into Gaza and are being held by Hamas to this day. Hamas officials are aware of the distress that these civilians are in. This is not a security matter. Israel has found ways to send Hamas proof that this is a humanitarian, personal, humane matter—not a security matter."
Lotan went on to detail another offer made to Hamas "to return to Gaza all of the civilians who are in Israel—people who crossed into Israel of their own accord. And of course, we expect to get our civilians who crossed over to Gaza in return."
Lotan explained that these offers are not unusual. "These things are accepted norms in the world. At the end of every conflict, the sides exchange captives and missing persons—that's the norm. It was also done in our region, between Israel and Hezbollah—both before and after the Second Lebanon War. In unprecedented fashion, Hamas has refused this offer, and even put forth a precondition for the continuation of the discussions: resolving a case of prisoners who were not from the Gaza Strip at all and have no connection with the Protective Edge war at all. Of course, we cannot abide a precondition. It's not right practically speaking, and it's not right professionally speaking."
Israel is not officially negotiating with Hamas for the return of the remains of soldiers Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, and the return of civilians Abera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. However, it is conducting unofficial talks with the organization through back-door channels and intermediaries, trying to at least reach some understanding that might allow for the beginning of official talks.
A week after the bereaved father's death, the Shaul family published his final letter to his son, Oron, who fell in Operation Protective Edge in 2014 and whose remains are being held by Hamas.
A little over a week after the passing of Herzl Shaul, at the end of the Shiva (a traditional Jewish mourning period, lasting seven days), the Shaul family has published his final letter to his son Oron, who was killed in battle during Operation Protective Edge and whose remains are still held by Gaza-based terror organization Hamas. In the letter, Mr. Shaul expressed his desire to see Oron return home.
When Herzl's condition deteriorated, the family said, he began writing what was on his mind, describing his thoughts since hearing that his son was in the hands of Hamas. He and a relative attempted to record Mr. Shaul reading the letter out loud, but their two attempts were not successful. A few hours later, Herzl Shaul lost consciousness. His last request was to be given the letter to his son so he could sign it himself.
The letter opens with Mr. Shaul's description of his condition. "My Oron, my hero son, ever since you left my body has started betraying me," it says, "My physical condition is deteriorating every day - a little more, and a little further."
The letter continues, "I cannot give up, because I want to reach the moment I've been imagining since the day you were kidnapped. That moment where the prime minister and IDF chief of staff call me and tell me, 'Herzl, Sergeant Oron Shaul, a fighter in the Golani Brigade's 13 Battalion's support company, is coming home from the war tonight.'"
"I imagine how I tell Mom, Aviram, and Ofek that you are coming back to us in a few hours, injured and exhausted, a captive with a long recovery ahead of him, but home!"
Later on, Mr. Shaul asks his son not to remain angry with government leaders for not bringing him home fast enough. "If you see this recording when you come back, they'll surely tell you about the hardship we went through before you came back from captivity. The lies and manipulations from all those people we appreciated and admired in the past. But my request to you is that you not have any grudge or anger. Do you know why? Because there's no people on earth like the people of Israel. Ever since your kidnapping, hundreds of thousands of people have reached their hands out to help."
At the end of the letter, Herzl shares a memory of his son's day of enlistment. "Do you remember when you announced that you were enlisting in Golani, your mother begged you to change your mind, since it's dangerous? Well, just so you know, despite me not telling you this, in my heart I was full of pride and joy. I want to apologize to you, my beloved son, for not listening to Mom."
A little over a week after the passing of Herzl Shaul, at the end of the Shiva (a traditional Jewish mourning period, lasting seven days), the Shaul family has published his final letter to his son Oron, who was killed in battle during Operation Protective Edge and whose remains are still held by Gaza-based terror organization Hamas. In the letter, Mr. Shaul expressed his desire to see Oron return home.
When Herzl's condition deteriorated, the family said, he began writing what was on his mind, describing his thoughts since hearing that his son was in the hands of Hamas. He and a relative attempted to record Mr. Shaul reading the letter out loud, but their two attempts were not successful. A few hours later, Herzl Shaul lost consciousness. His last request was to be given the letter to his son so he could sign it himself.
The letter opens with Mr. Shaul's description of his condition. "My Oron, my hero son, ever since you left my body has started betraying me," it says, "My physical condition is deteriorating every day - a little more, and a little further."
The letter continues, "I cannot give up, because I want to reach the moment I've been imagining since the day you were kidnapped. That moment where the prime minister and IDF chief of staff call me and tell me, 'Herzl, Sergeant Oron Shaul, a fighter in the Golani Brigade's 13 Battalion's support company, is coming home from the war tonight.'"
"I imagine how I tell Mom, Aviram, and Ofek that you are coming back to us in a few hours, injured and exhausted, a captive with a long recovery ahead of him, but home!"
Later on, Mr. Shaul asks his son not to remain angry with government leaders for not bringing him home fast enough. "If you see this recording when you come back, they'll surely tell you about the hardship we went through before you came back from captivity. The lies and manipulations from all those people we appreciated and admired in the past. But my request to you is that you not have any grudge or anger. Do you know why? Because there's no people on earth like the people of Israel. Ever since your kidnapping, hundreds of thousands of people have reached their hands out to help."
At the end of the letter, Herzl shares a memory of his son's day of enlistment. "Do you remember when you announced that you were enlisting in Golani, your mother begged you to change your mind, since it's dangerous? Well, just so you know, despite me not telling you this, in my heart I was full of pride and joy. I want to apologize to you, my beloved son, for not listening to Mom."
11 sept 2016
The family of Avraham 'Abera' Mengistu gathered before the PMO in Jerusalem with supporters to protest government inaction in returning the man to Israel, who has been missing since he crossed to Gaza in 2014.
The family of Avraham "Abera" Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli reportedly held hostage by Hamas, gathered today with dozens of protesters in front of the Prime Minister's Office to protest what they considered to be government inaction for Mengistu's repatriation.
"We are here today to raise awareness of my brother's plight," stated Ilan Mengistu to Tazpit Press Service (TPS). "I think it's time for the prime minister to understand that it is forbidden to forsake an innocent Israeli citizen in the hands of terrorists." he claimed.
"In two years, my brother has had no visits from the Red Cross, no one is aware of his exact location, and we, his family, have received no information whatsoever on his well-being, which violates his international human rights." he said.
"Two years and not a single thing has been done." stated Ayaline, Mengistu's father, in an official statement. "Do we count for nothing? How come the families of Hamas' captives can come to Israel and hold their relatives when we have no information whatsoever? Mr. Prime Minister, this is in your hands!" he claimed.
Mengistu, a 28-year-old civilian from Ashkelon, crossed the border into Gaza in September 2014, through the Zikim beach for unknown reasons. He has been missing ever since.
Hamas' spokespeople refute the family statements claiming that Avraham is mentally unstable. They claim he was captured as a prisoner of war.
"Avera is a mentally unhealthy person who unfortunately ended up in Gaza, and is in need of medical treatment. This is a humanitarian case, not a political or military one," Sahar Mola, one of the activists who participated in a similar protest last year, told TPS at that time.
The Mengistu family, along with the families of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin whose bodies are also in the hands of Hamas, have called for a tightening of conditions for Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails. They also denounced the last June's Israel-Turkey reconciliation deal for failing to include specific clauses about their children.
"It is within the prime minister's capacity to use the rights of the Hamas prisoners in Israeli custody (such as family visitations, allowance, education or radio) as a bargaining chip to address the unlawful captivity conditions in which Avraham is being held." Ilan Mengistu told TPS.
"We will not make peace with the current state of affairs and we will not stop pressuring the government until something is done."he concluded.
Along with Avraham Mengistu, two Israeli Bedouins named Hisham al-Sayed and Jumaa Abu-Ghanima have also crossed the border to Gaza in similar circumstances, respectively in 2015 and 2016.
Ex-Yesh-Atid MK Pnina Tamano-Shata wrote on Facebook that the protest is proof of the government's inaction. "Two years have passed and nothing has been done. The protest proves that the public willjj not abandon the fight in the face of governmental incompetence."
The family of Avraham "Abera" Mengistu, an Ethiopian-Israeli reportedly held hostage by Hamas, gathered today with dozens of protesters in front of the Prime Minister's Office to protest what they considered to be government inaction for Mengistu's repatriation.
"We are here today to raise awareness of my brother's plight," stated Ilan Mengistu to Tazpit Press Service (TPS). "I think it's time for the prime minister to understand that it is forbidden to forsake an innocent Israeli citizen in the hands of terrorists." he claimed.
"In two years, my brother has had no visits from the Red Cross, no one is aware of his exact location, and we, his family, have received no information whatsoever on his well-being, which violates his international human rights." he said.
"Two years and not a single thing has been done." stated Ayaline, Mengistu's father, in an official statement. "Do we count for nothing? How come the families of Hamas' captives can come to Israel and hold their relatives when we have no information whatsoever? Mr. Prime Minister, this is in your hands!" he claimed.
Mengistu, a 28-year-old civilian from Ashkelon, crossed the border into Gaza in September 2014, through the Zikim beach for unknown reasons. He has been missing ever since.
Hamas' spokespeople refute the family statements claiming that Avraham is mentally unstable. They claim he was captured as a prisoner of war.
"Avera is a mentally unhealthy person who unfortunately ended up in Gaza, and is in need of medical treatment. This is a humanitarian case, not a political or military one," Sahar Mola, one of the activists who participated in a similar protest last year, told TPS at that time.
The Mengistu family, along with the families of soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin whose bodies are also in the hands of Hamas, have called for a tightening of conditions for Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails. They also denounced the last June's Israel-Turkey reconciliation deal for failing to include specific clauses about their children.
"It is within the prime minister's capacity to use the rights of the Hamas prisoners in Israeli custody (such as family visitations, allowance, education or radio) as a bargaining chip to address the unlawful captivity conditions in which Avraham is being held." Ilan Mengistu told TPS.
"We will not make peace with the current state of affairs and we will not stop pressuring the government until something is done."he concluded.
Along with Avraham Mengistu, two Israeli Bedouins named Hisham al-Sayed and Jumaa Abu-Ghanima have also crossed the border to Gaza in similar circumstances, respectively in 2015 and 2016.
Ex-Yesh-Atid MK Pnina Tamano-Shata wrote on Facebook that the protest is proof of the government's inaction. "Two years have passed and nothing has been done. The protest proves that the public willjj not abandon the fight in the face of governmental incompetence."
7 sept 2016
The family of Avraham Mengistu, an Ethiopian Israeli soldier who was captured by Palestinian resistance, waged a demonstration on Wednesday near Gaza borders.
Israeli media sources pointed out that the demonstration was organized in the place where the last time Mengistu was seen alive.
During the event, the family renewed calls on Israeli government to work for the release of their son.
Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem has earlier refused to allow the family of the captured soldier Aaron Shaul to erect a protest tent outside the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
Few months ago, spokesman of Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in televised statement with a poster behind him showing black-and-white photos of the four captured Israeli soldiers, that Israel “will not be able to get information on the four without paying a clear price before and after any negotiations” on the issue.
Israeli media sources pointed out that the demonstration was organized in the place where the last time Mengistu was seen alive.
During the event, the family renewed calls on Israeli government to work for the release of their son.
Israeli municipality in occupied Jerusalem has earlier refused to allow the family of the captured soldier Aaron Shaul to erect a protest tent outside the Israeli Prime Minister’s office.
Few months ago, spokesman of Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in televised statement with a poster behind him showing black-and-white photos of the four captured Israeli soldiers, that Israel “will not be able to get information on the four without paying a clear price before and after any negotiations” on the issue.
6 sept 2016
The family of Avraham Mengistu, an Ethiopian Israeli soldier who was captured by Palestinian resistance, declared intention to demonstrate on Wednesday near Gaza borders.
Israeli media sources affirmed that the demonstration is scheduled to be organized in the place where the last time he was seen alive.
Few months ago, spokesman of Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in televised statement with a poster behind him showing black-and-white photos of the four captured Israeli soldiers, that Israel “will not be able to get information on the four without paying a clear price before and after any negotiations” on the issue.
Israeli media sources affirmed that the demonstration is scheduled to be organized in the place where the last time he was seen alive.
Few months ago, spokesman of Hamas armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, said in televised statement with a poster behind him showing black-and-white photos of the four captured Israeli soldiers, that Israel “will not be able to get information on the four without paying a clear price before and after any negotiations” on the issue.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, said that its leadership gives great importance to the issue of the Israeli captives held in Gaza and deals with it away from the media, describing it as a "sensitive and complicated" issue.
In press remarks, spokesman for the Brigades Abu Obaidah said that the leadership of al-Qassam Brigades follows up the issue of Israeli prisoners in Gaza very closely and deals with it with a great sense of responsibility and competence.
Abu Obaidah stressed the sensitivity of the issue and the need to deal with accordingly by the media, adding that it is an open battle with the Israeli occupation at different levels.
The local news agency, SAFA, claimed on Monday that Israeli captive soldier Oron Shaul collapsed after its captors in Gaza allowed him to watch the funeral of his father, without providing further information.
In press remarks, spokesman for the Brigades Abu Obaidah said that the leadership of al-Qassam Brigades follows up the issue of Israeli prisoners in Gaza very closely and deals with it with a great sense of responsibility and competence.
Abu Obaidah stressed the sensitivity of the issue and the need to deal with accordingly by the media, adding that it is an open battle with the Israeli occupation at different levels.
The local news agency, SAFA, claimed on Monday that Israeli captive soldier Oron Shaul collapsed after its captors in Gaza allowed him to watch the funeral of his father, without providing further information.
5 sept 2016
An Informed source in Gaza told SAFA news agency that Israeli captive soldier Oron Shaul collapsed and burst into tears when he was allowed to watch the funeral of his father on Sunday.
The agency has not provided further details about the source of this news.
However, this could indicate that the captors of the soldier are trying to indirectly send a strong message to his family that he is still alive.
Shaul's family still believe the story provided by the Israeli government and army about his death. The father of Shaul died last Friday of cancer.
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, premier Benjamin Netanyahu, and senior government and army officials attended the funeral on Sunday.
The agency has not provided further details about the source of this news.
However, this could indicate that the captors of the soldier are trying to indirectly send a strong message to his family that he is still alive.
Shaul's family still believe the story provided by the Israeli government and army about his death. The father of Shaul died last Friday of cancer.
Israeli president Reuven Rivlin, premier Benjamin Netanyahu, and senior government and army officials attended the funeral on Sunday.
2 sept 2016
Diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine about a year ago, 54-year-old Herzl Shaul died on Friday afternoon; the president, chief of staff have sent their condolences.
Two years after his son, Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, fell in Operation Protective Edge, 54-year-old Herzl died from cancer on Friday at 2:45pm.
Shaul had been undergoing chemotherapy in recent months in Tiberius's Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya. He died in the Tel Hashomer Medical Center, with his wife, Zehava, and sons Aviram and Ofek by his side.
Shaul's other son, Oron, was killed along with six other Golani soldiers after an attack on their armored personnel carrier on July 20, 2014 in Gaza City.
At the time, Oron was declared missing. Hamas announced that they were holding him, but the IDF leadership found that Oron was no longer alive and declared him a few days later as a fallen soldier whose place of burial is unknown, and his family observed the Jewish rituals of mourning.
Herzl was diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine about one year after his son fell in battle. In recent weeks, he called for increased efforts to return his son's remains to Israel.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot sent his condolences to the Shaul family on Friday in the name of the military. His message stated, "Herzl was the head of an exemplary family. I send a strong embrace to Zehava and to the family during this hard time. About a week ago, I met with Herzl for the last time, and I promised him that we would continue to do everything to return Oron and Hadar (Goldin) home, to a grave in Israel."
President Reuven Rivlin also sent his condolences to the family: "We share in the pain of the Shaul family at the loss of Herzl, the father of the family, who was a tower of strength and determination in the struggle to return Oron home. In our last meeting, I hoped and wished that Herzl would be able to overcome his illness. At this difficult time, Nechama and I send our love and sympathies to Zehava and the children.
"The State of Israel will continue to do all it can to fulfil the obligation upon it to bring Oron to rest alongside his father Herzl."
The family pointed out that they learned of the death of Herzl around 3pm on a Friday—the same time and day that they learned that Oron was no longer alive some two years ago.
Two years after his son, Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul, fell in Operation Protective Edge, 54-year-old Herzl died from cancer on Friday at 2:45pm.
Shaul had been undergoing chemotherapy in recent months in Tiberius's Baruch Padeh Medical Center, Poriya. He died in the Tel Hashomer Medical Center, with his wife, Zehava, and sons Aviram and Ofek by his side.
Shaul's other son, Oron, was killed along with six other Golani soldiers after an attack on their armored personnel carrier on July 20, 2014 in Gaza City.
At the time, Oron was declared missing. Hamas announced that they were holding him, but the IDF leadership found that Oron was no longer alive and declared him a few days later as a fallen soldier whose place of burial is unknown, and his family observed the Jewish rituals of mourning.
Herzl was diagnosed with cancer of the small intestine about one year after his son fell in battle. In recent weeks, he called for increased efforts to return his son's remains to Israel.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot sent his condolences to the Shaul family on Friday in the name of the military. His message stated, "Herzl was the head of an exemplary family. I send a strong embrace to Zehava and to the family during this hard time. About a week ago, I met with Herzl for the last time, and I promised him that we would continue to do everything to return Oron and Hadar (Goldin) home, to a grave in Israel."
President Reuven Rivlin also sent his condolences to the family: "We share in the pain of the Shaul family at the loss of Herzl, the father of the family, who was a tower of strength and determination in the struggle to return Oron home. In our last meeting, I hoped and wished that Herzl would be able to overcome his illness. At this difficult time, Nechama and I send our love and sympathies to Zehava and the children.
"The State of Israel will continue to do all it can to fulfil the obligation upon it to bring Oron to rest alongside his father Herzl."
The family pointed out that they learned of the death of Herzl around 3pm on a Friday—the same time and day that they learned that Oron was no longer alive some two years ago.
30 aug 2016
Israeli Army Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s on Monday reportedly said the bodies of two Israeli soldiers being held by Hamas would remain in the Gaza Strip, as he opposed negotiations with Hamas. His office later denied that he had made the comments.
According to Channel 10 news, in a closed-door meeting Lieberman said that Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose bodies have been held since the 2014 Israeli aggression on Gaza, will not be returned to Israel due to his opposition to talks with Hamas.
Lieberman’s office denied that he had made those remarks on Monday, but did confirm that the Minister is against negotiations with Hamas.
However, it added, “Minister Lieberman has always been opposed to prisoner deals of the sort until today and that Minister Lieberman voted against the Shalit deal.”
Haaretz Hebrew newspaper pointed out in its Tuesday issue that Lieberman’s position runs contrary to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official statements in this regard.
According to Channel 10 news, in a closed-door meeting Lieberman said that Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, whose bodies have been held since the 2014 Israeli aggression on Gaza, will not be returned to Israel due to his opposition to talks with Hamas.
Lieberman’s office denied that he had made those remarks on Monday, but did confirm that the Minister is against negotiations with Hamas.
However, it added, “Minister Lieberman has always been opposed to prisoner deals of the sort until today and that Minister Lieberman voted against the Shalit deal.”
Haaretz Hebrew newspaper pointed out in its Tuesday issue that Lieberman’s position runs contrary to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official statements in this regard.
28 aug 2016
The elder brother of Oron Shaul, an Israeli officer being held in Gaza, has said that all the testimonies given by soldiers who took part in al-Shuja'iyya clashes asserted that he was taken in one piece by Hamas fighters and was not inside the troop carrier when bombed.
As part of an Israeli internet campaign to activate the file of captive soldiers, Aviram Shaul accused in remarks on Sunday the Israeli army of not knowing the fate of his brother Oron.
"I could say one thing that they did not snatched the body of Shaul, but they kidnapped him alive in one piece.
His case and helmet were found in a tunnel with no burn marks, which proves that he was taken from outside the carrier," the brother stated.
"It is clear that the army does not know the picture of what has happened and I doubt it will do. The army are unable to know the fate of Shaul," he added.
As part of an Israeli internet campaign to activate the file of captive soldiers, Aviram Shaul accused in remarks on Sunday the Israeli army of not knowing the fate of his brother Oron.
"I could say one thing that they did not snatched the body of Shaul, but they kidnapped him alive in one piece.
His case and helmet were found in a tunnel with no burn marks, which proves that he was taken from outside the carrier," the brother stated.
"It is clear that the army does not know the picture of what has happened and I doubt it will do. The army are unable to know the fate of Shaul," he added.
SWAP - A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
