(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)

Overnight, with the help of precise intelligence information and led by the Israel Security Agency, security forces carried out an operation to locate and apprehend Marwan Kawasma and Amer Abu Aysha in Hebron.

During the mission, the terrorists opened fire at the forces. The forces returned fire, identifying hits of the terrorists.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesman: "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. We were determined in bringing the ruthless murderers of Gilad, Eyal and Naftali to justice. The efforts have been continuous and extensive. Today's successful mission brings the long-term search to an end, and the perpetrators of the crime no longer pose a threat to Israeli civilians."

Prime Minister Netanyahu: "When we found the bodies of Naftali, Gilad and Eyal (<http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Pages/Bring-back-our-boys-Eyal-Naftali-Gilad.aspx>), I said that whoever perpetrated the kidnapping and murder of our boys would bear the consequences and added that we would not rest until we had reached the last of them wherever they were hiding. I also said that this was our first mission and that it would be carried out. This morning it was carried out (<http://www.idfblog.com/blog/2014/09/23/abductors-three-israeli-teenagers-targeted-hebron/>).

We said from the outset that Hamas was responsible for the abduction and murder and in light of the proof we have accumulated Hamas admitted that it was behind this terrorist attack.

I would like to commend the outstanding intelligence work of the ISA. I would like to commend the ISA, the Israel Police Anti-Terror Unit and the IDF. On behalf of the people of Israel I salute you for your precise and important operation. We will continue strike at terrorism everywhere. A few days after the attack I said near Hebron, the city of the patriarchs, that we would pursue the enemy, find them and not return until they had been dealt with. This morning the long arm of Israeli justice did just this."

Background information:

On June 12, 2014, Marwan Kawasma and Amer Abu Aysha, Hamas terrorists, abducted and murdered three Israeli teenagers; Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel near Gush Etzion. At the end of an extensive search and rescue effort, the bodies of the three boys were discovered northwest of Hebron.

The IDF and the ISA have been on a manhunt after the murderers since the attack.

Marwan Kawasma

Marwan has been arrested in the past for his activity as part of the Hamas terror organization.
Born in 1985, at the age of 18 he spent 10 months in custody until August 2004. Since his release in 2004, he hs been arrested 4 times.

In his last investigation in 2010, Kawasma admitted to having been recruited by the military wing of Hamas operating in the area of Hebron. In 2009, Kawasma was involved in military training in caves in the Hebron area, obtained materials for the use of explosives, and assisted Hamas with recruiting new operatives. For these actions, he was detained until March 2012.

Amer Abu Aysha

Born in 1981, he was first arrested in November of 2005, was investigated and transferred to administrative detention until June 2006. He was detained once again for a short time in April 2007.

Abu Aysha's brother was killed in November 2005, while attempting to hurl an explosive device at IDF soldiers. His father was arrested several times for terror activities.