Three teenagers went missing near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank.  It was followed by accusations and denials, and the greatest pressure on Israeli-Palestinian relations since the Palestinians brought Hamas in from the cold to form a unity government.

The boys – one 19-year old and two 16-year olds – were hitchhiking home last Thursday night from Jewish religious schools.  Israeli security forces fanned out in the West Bank and arrested 86 people, which is more than they did last week.  On Thursday night, one of the teens phoned police to say they’ve been kidnapped.  The search didn’t begin until 3:00 AM on Friday morning.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israeli intelligence “knew for a fact” that the teens were kidnapped by the Hamas, and he held the Palestinian Authority responsible.

“Israel warned the international community about the dangers of endorsing the Fatah-Hamas unity pact,” Netanyahu said, and then switched in English for the International audience: “This will not advance peace; it will advance terror.”

But both Hamas and the Palestinian authority is denying these allegations.  The PLO’s executive committee said the arrests were “racist”; rejected Netanyahu’s “foul accusations”; and its official news agency referred to any kidnapping as “alleged”.  Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said Netayahu’s charge was “stupid”.