Israel Army Says Foiled Hamas Bid To Kidnap Soldier

The Israeli army on Friday said its troops foiled an attempt by Hamas operatives to kidnap one of its soldier in the Gaza Strip, Israeli daily Haaretz reported.



According to the Israeli papers, the Hamas operatives tried to drag the soldier into a tunnel before an Israeli tank fired shells at the site of the attempted abduction, enabling the soldier to break free. The paper gave no further details.



Earlier in the day, the Israeli army designated soldier Oron Shaul, who Hamas says it kidnapped, as "killed in action" while admitting that his "burial site is unknown."



According to the Israeli army, an official commission – headed by Brig. Gen. Rafi Peretz, Israel's chief military rabbi – concluded that Shaul had been killed in Sunday clashes with Palestinian resistance fighters in eastern Gaza City's Shujaya district.



Earlier this week, the Ezzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, announced the capture of an Israeli soldier, identified as "Shaul Aaron."



Two days after the announcement, the Israeli army admitted the soldier was "missing."



In 2006, the Brigades captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, holding him captive until 2011 when he was exchanged for 1027 Palestinian prisoners.



Since July 7, Israel has pounded the blockaded Gaza Strip – by air, land and sea – with the stated aim of halting Palestinian rocket attacks.



Last week, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled Palestinian territory.



Israel's onslaught has so far killed 864 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and wounded over 5400 others, many critically, according to Palestinian health officials.



Israel's "Operation Protective Edge," now in its 19th day, is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the blockaded Gaza Strip in the last six years.



By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout



englishnews@aa.com.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Kudüs