An Israeli soldier named Hadar Goldin was kidnapped Friday when Hamas broke a cease-fire and launched an attack against soldiers in the war-torn region.
Israel and Hamas had agreed to a humanitarian cease fire brokered by the United States and United Nations. It was set take effect on Friday at 8 am, but within two hours fighting had broken out again.
Reports indicated that Hamas gunmen emerged from Gaza tunnels, opening fire at an Israeli soldier and detonating an explosives vest. Reports indicate that 23-year-old soldier Hadar Goldin was kidnapped and taken to Gaza through a tunnel. Two other soldiers were killed.
The soldier’s father, Sinha Goldin, released a statement Friday calling on the Israeli military to do whatever it takes to bring his son home.
“We want to support the military in the fighting against Hamas in Gaza. We are sure the military will not stop before it turns over every stone in Gaza and returns Hadar home safe and sound,” he said in a statement.
The attack has drawn a sharp rebuke from the White House, which said it was “absolutely outraged” by Hamas. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu, who vowed to stop Hamas.
“Israel will take all necessary steps against those who call for our destruction and perpetrate terrorism against our citizens,” Netanyahu told Kerry, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
Kerry has also taken action, calling on Turkey and Qatar to use their power to secure the soldier’s release. From The Associated Press :
“Kerry called Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu soon after an aide informed him of reports of the abduction, and the killings of two Israeli soldiers, while flying back from a visit to India. The incidents led to the quick breakdown of a ceasefire Kerry had worked hard to broker.”
The United Nations has spoken out against the broken cease fire as well.
#Breaking : #UN @secgen “has no means to verify exactly what happened,” but condemns the “reported violation by #Hamas ” of ceasefire. #Israel
— Michael Wilner (@mawilner) August 1, 2014
Though the kidnapping of Israel soldier Hadar Goldin has not been confirmed, if true it could signal a drastic escalation to the weeks-long conflict. Any chance of a new cease fire efforts will likely be lost, and Israel is expected to increase its ground offensive to destroy tunnels used by Hamas.
