Murdered teens Naftali Frankel, Gilad Sha’ar and Eyal Yifrach – victims of Hamas terror – will be buried side by side in Modi’in late Tuesday afternoon.
By Atara Beck
Mourners gather around the home of terror victim Eyal Yifrach, 19. (Photo: Flash90)
The three kidnapped boys who were murdered by Hamas terrorists almost three weeks ago – Naftali Frankel, 16; Gilad Sha’ar, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19 – will be buried side by side Tuesday afternoon in a cemetery in Modi’in, a central Israeli city close to each of the family homes.
An intensive search by IDF troops, police and volunteers was ongoing since the abduction on the evening of June 12, and the bodies were discovered Monday evening north of Hebron. Forensic investigations indicate that the boys were shot shortly after the kidnapping.
It is assumed that the terrorists had planned to negotiate their release in exchange for Palestinian Arab prisoners. One of the boys, however, managed to make a brief call to police, saying they were kidnapped. It seems that the terrorists panicked, assuming they were being followed by Israeli forces, and therefore murdered the boys, disposed of the bodies and set the car on fire.
IDF forces are continuing the hunt for the terrorists, who were identified as Hamas operatives Marwan Kawasme, 29, and Amer Abu Aysha, 33.
Mothers of kidnapped teens at Israel’s parliament during campaign to find their whereabouts. From the left, Bat-Galim Sha’ar, Rachel Frankel and Iris Yifrach. (Photo: IDF)
Until the announcement that the corpses were found, the people of Israel and supporters around the world were hoping that the boys would remain alive and unharmed. Mass demonstrations of solidarity with the families were held across the country as well as in Jewish communities abroad, the largest being a rally of tens of thousands in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening.
The profound courage and dignity of the parents throughout the ordeal was impressive.
Eyal Yifrach’s funeral begins at 3:30 p.m. in his hometown of Elad; the funeral of Gilad Sha’ar commences at 4 p.m. in the community of Talmon, followed by that of Naftali Frankel at 4 p.m. in Nof Ayalon. At 5:30, they will be buried side by side in the Modi’in cemetery.