The series of air raids conducted by Israel on the Gaza Strip and the arrests of more than 100 Palestinians during a military operation in Hebron reveal that the search for the three abducted colonists is nothing more than an Israeli pretext to intentionally escalate matters and thwart Palestinian reconciliation, said Al Bayan in its editorial.
The area in which the three teenagers were kidnapped is not under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian National Authority, but under Israeli civil and military control.
In an editorial published in Oman’s Al Watan, the paper said it is unfortunate that both Hamas and Fatah seemingly did not pay much attention to securing the reconciliation agreement and strengthening it. The mudslinging between the two factions has been noticeable in light of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas defending security coordination with the Israelis and condemning the kidnapping of the colonists. Without a doubt, the Israelis are satisfied with the bickering between Fatah and Hamas, which will give them the drive to intensify their methods to achieve their objectives. Therefore, the failure of the Israeli occupation is linked to the success of Fatah and Hamas in safeguarding and solidifying the reconciliation agreement in facing up to the enemy of the Palestinian people.
Jumping to conclusions
It is unfortunate and regrettable that young people should disappear in thin air, but with no clear facts established yet, accusations cannot be levelled at whim, said the Jordan Times in its editorial.
If, as believed by many, they were taken hostage, one can only condemn the move. No child, Israeli, Palestinian or of any other country, should be used as a pawn for any purpose. But jumping to conclusions and accusing Hamas, or any other Palestinian group, of having carried out the alleged abduction is unjust and counterproductive.
The Israeli prime minister has quickly made Abbas responsible simply because the latter made peace with Hamas and agreed to a government including the Islamic group’s representatives. The Palestinian leader has since decried the disappearance of the three youths and offered to do all he can to help find them.
In its editorial, the Palestinian newspaper Al Quds said that the kidnappings had provided Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a golden opportunity to achieve plans that he set long before the abduction.
Netanyahu is taking advantage of the incident by launching a military campaign in the West Bank under the pretext of searching for the missing colonists. But it is clear that this campaign has goals that go beyond the kidnapping incident.
Netanyahu must realise that his approach and the way he is handling the problem will lead the region to more tension and extremism, both in the short and long run. Israel should be aware that peace is the only solution and that its violence, arrogance and expansion will lead to nothing except more suffering and instability.
