Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon
Defense Minister Moshe YaalonFlash 90

Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon on Sunday night discussed the case of the three kidnapped Israeli teens. Speaking at a Defense Ministry event, Yaalon said “this is the time to strengthen the hands of the families of the kidnapped boys, Eyal Yifrah, Naftali Frenkel, and Gilad Sha'ar. We must all join in a prayer that we should merit to see them again.

“However, we must have patience for the long haul,” Yaalon said. “Right now IDF soldiers are making great efforts to find the the missing boys.”

Yaalon slammed the Fatah-Hamas unity government, saying that it was responsible for the teens' safety. “The same Palestinian Authority that some like to call 'moderate' forged a treaty with Hamas, a terror group that in its very essence proclains the need to kill Jews. It is on their shoulders that the responsibility for the kidnapping of the youths rests. We shall make the leaders of Hamas pay, and they will pay when we decide the time has come to collect the debt. This will be the fate of anyone who tries to injure Israeli citizens,” Yaalon said.

It was announced Sunday that Hassan Yousef, a leading Hamas terror activist, has been arrested as the IDF sweeps Judea in search of three missing teens.

Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the kidnapping of the teenagers, and said many indications pointed to the involvement of Hamas. "We are still seeking details on the parties responsible for this despicable terrorist act, although many indications point to Hamas' involvement," he said. “As we gather this information, we reiterate our position that Hamas is a terrorist organization known for its attacks on innocent civilians and which has used kidnapping in the past."