Body of Israeli Druze young man seized by Palestinians in Jenin returned to his family – Israeli military
CNN
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The body of a young Israeli Druze captured by Palestinian gunmen in Jenin was turned over to his family, the Israeli military said on Thursday, adding that nothing was given back.
“We are not negotiating in any way with the gunmen who have kept the bodies,” an IDF spokesman said at a briefing. “We did not return anything. I think at some point they understand that the consequences of this happening will be very difficult for the Jenin economy.”
Gunmen stormed Jenin hospital and seized the body of Tiran Ferro, who was in a car accident on the West Coast, authorities on both sides of the conflict said on Wednesday. The gunmen are demanding the return of the body of Palestinian killed by the Israeli army, they said.
Israel closed roads into and out of Jenin on Wednesday after the body was confiscated and reopened on Thursday after the body was returned.
Jenin Governor Major General Akram Rajoub told CNN that Palestinian Authority security officials have led negotiations with the gunmen holding the bodies.
Rajoub said: “The PA Intelligence Directorate had contact with one of the kidnappers, which facilitated the return of the body to the headquarters of the Intelligence Directorate in Jenin.
There was controversy over whether Ferro was alive or dead when gunmen stormed his hospital room in Jenin and took his body.
Ferro’s father told Israeli media on Wednesday that the teenager was still alive and had taken off his life support equipment. But governor Jenin Akram Rajoub told CNN that Ferro was dead when his body was removed.
Ferro’s father said: “When we entered the hospital, we were standing in front of the intensive care unit. My son is connected to the ventilator and has a heartbeat. I was staying with my brother and son when suddenly a group of about 20 masked people burst into the room screaming. We stood by and couldn’t do anything.
“They kidnapped the body right in front of my eyes,” Ferro’s father told reporters via camera.
But governor Jenin Rajoub told CNN that Ferro was dead when his body was removed.
The Jenin Brigade, a Palestinian militant group based in a refugee camp in the West Bank, said Wednesday in a statement obtained by CNN that it is holding Ferro’s body and is demanding that Israel turn all over. bodies of Palestinians killed by the IDF for Israel. The group also said it has raised alarm among its members in case Israeli forces storm Jenin camp.
Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid announced on Wednesday that “the kidnappers will pay a heavy price” if Ferro’s body in Tiran is not returned: “In recent months, Israel has proved that nowhere is it. and there’s no terrorist they don’t know how to approach.”
Lapid said Ferro will celebrate his 18th birthday on Thursday. He is a member of the Druze minority, community leaders told CNN.
