The families of the three Israeli teens who were abducted and murdered by Hamas terrorists this past June 12 in Gush Etzion, have issued a statement in response to the news the suspects were killed today in a shootout with IDF soldiers.

The fugitive suspects were shot and killed early Tuesday morning (Sept. 23, 2014) by IDF troops during an attempt to arrest them in Hebron in a joint action with IDI and ISA units.

“Security forces notified us this morning that our sons’ murderers were killed in the framework of an military action by our forces,” the statement began.

“We take pride in our government and our security forces, for their steadfast persistence in bringing to justice the murderers of our sons.

“The world now knows Jewish blood is not free. We embrace the special operations soldiers who risked their lives to carry out the mission and respond to the challenge, to ensure that Israel maintains its deterrent edge.

“As we begin a new year, we hope now to end this cycle of evil and begin only one of good. We send wishes for a sweet new year to all the People of Israel and in the Diaspora, and offer our thanks to all those here and abroad who embraced and supported us in our time of need.”

It has been released for publication that the two Hamas terrorists, Marwan Kawasme (29) and Amar Abu Aisha (32) have been killed in a complex intelligence operation by the Shabak, IDF and SWAT teams in an overnight operation in Hebron.

The two were the terrorists who had kidnapped and murdered the three Israeli teenagers, Gilad Shaar (16), Naftali Frankel (16), and Eyal Yifrach (19).

Marwan Kawasme (left) and Amar Abu Aisha from Hebron are the Hamas terrorists who kidnapped and murdered Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel.

The three boys were kidnapped in Gush Etzion on June 12, 2014, near a hitchhiking post.

The IDF had attempted to arrest the two terrorists, when the murderers began to shoot back. The terrorists were killed in the exchange of fire.

READ: Ze’Ev Elkin says: Don’t release Hamas bodies until Hamas returns our IDF soldiers’ bodies.

READ: Netanyahu responds with grim satisfaction.

READ: Statement  by the Yifrach, Frankel and Shaar families.

Marwan Kawasme was part of the Hamas military infrastructure in Hebron that also carried out the 2010 Beit Hagai attack that killed four people.

In addition, Bashar Kawasme, Muhammad Kawasme and Taar Kawasme, the sons of Arafat Kawasme were arrested. Arafat Kawasme was arrested on July 14, charged with helping the killers after they murdered the boys.

IDF operation in Hebron to catch kidnapper/killers of 3 Jewish teenagers.

Shana Tova!

Released for publication: Israel’s security establishment has foiled a terror attack that was set to take place on Rosh Hashana.

Seven Hamas terrorists were arrested late Sunday night (Sept. 21) by IDF soldiers from the Duchifat battalion. The fugitives are suspected of plotting to carry out a terror attack in Gush Etzion during the Jewish new year holiday.

According to a report posted on the Hebrew-language 0404 website, IDF soldiers made the arrests in the Palestinian Authority Arab town of Kfar Sair, northeast of Hebron. During a search of the houses the soldiers also uncovered a large cache of ammunition and knives.

All seven suspects were turned over to the Shin Bet for interrogation.

A total of 16 fugitives were arrested overnight in Judea and Samaria for terrorist activity, rioting and disturbing the peace, according to an IDF spokesperson. All were transferred to security personnel for further questioning.

In other security-related news, Palestinian Authority Arabs clashed with IDF soldiers during riots earlier Sunday night in the PA-controlled city of Bethlehem.

Several “protesters” suffered the after-effects of inhaling tear gas after IDF soldiers fired tear gas canisters to control the violent mob.

PM Netanyahu postponed today’s cabinet vote over the very controversial security fence between Gush Etzion and Jerusalem.

Out of the blue, last week Netanyahu said there would be a cabinet vote on the fence on Sunday.

After a lot of resistance from Jews and Arabs in Gush Etzion, as well as environmentalists, the plans to continue building the fence was frozen years ago. Residents were very surprised and angry when the issue suddenly came up again.

The Jerusalem segment of the fence would separate Gush Etzion from Jerusalem, and other segments of the fence would split Gush Etzion in half, as well as block it off from the areas around it.

There are long term plans to build a highway from Gush Etzion to the Dead Sea, which would cut the trip down to approximately 20 minutes. This fence could kill that plan too.

Netanyahu delayed the discussion in the cabinet until next week.

Construction workers southwest of Jerusalem have discovered a huge stalactite cave located near the Tzur Hadassah community, on the western side of Gush Etzion.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority has not disclosed the exact location because of dangers of entering the area. Officials also want to take step to preserve and map the cave, which rivals the size of the Sorek cave, officially known as the Avshalom Cave, between Ramle and Beit Shemesh, southwest of Jerusalem.

Stalactite caves are formed when limestone rocks are slowly dissolved as rainwater seeps in through crevices of a cave, and the site at Sorek is one of Israel’s most popular natural wonders.

It was discovered in 1968 after an explosion carried out by a quarry.

The Sorek Stalactite Cave is approximately 100 yards long and maintains a temperature of 22 degrees C) all year. The stalactites are in a variety of mineral-based colors and are in endless shapes.

PM Netanyahu’s Cabinet is set to vote on Sunday on part of the path of the Gush Etzion security barrier, according to an IDF Radio (Galei Tzahal) report on Thursday night.

For years, Arab and Jewish residents of Gush Etzion have strongly protested against this security fence, as both sides are against its construction. They managed to get the construction of the fence frozen until now.

In 2006, radical leftwing groups filed petitions to have the path of the fence moved onto the pre-67 side of the 1949 armistice line, rather than including Gush Etzion.

The entire fence, besides being an eyesore on some of the most pristine and beautiful landscapes in Israel, would cut off Gush Etzion from Jerusalem, and part of the fence would split Gush Etzion in two.

It would also potentially cut off the planned road from Gush Etzion directly to the Dead Sea, which is only 20 minutes by car.

Gush Etzion Mayor David Perl told Galei Tzahal that Netanyahu previously promised him that the fence was frozen and would not advance further.

Perl promised to continue to fight the fence construction.

Efrat activist Nadia Matar spoke with JewishPress.com and said, “We are very shocked. It is not logical that after the past war this summer, when it was proved that in no way should we ever create a PA state in our heartland, nor should we have fences – that now they are going to vote on this. It’s insanity! We call upon all the cabinet ministers to vote against it.”

It is not clear why the vote is being brought up in the cabinet at this time.

A guide at the Gush Etzion Zoo (bet you didn’t there was one of those in Gush Etzion) explains to Junior High School students how to extract the ram horn shell after it dried, and eventually make it into a shofar, on September 15, 2014.