Israel: Soldier Kidnapped

IDF looking into possible kidnapping
Massive security forces deployed in greater Tel Aviv area, Highway 443., dozens of roadblocks set up following report that soldier was forced into vehicle near Ben Gurion Airport; Palestinian group claims its 'resistance fighters' abducted soldier

Eli Senyor
08.13.09, 20:15
Ynetnews


The IDF and Israel Police received a report at around noon Thursday claiming that two civilians forced an IDF soldier into a car at an intersection near an Israeli Air Force base adjacent to Ben Gurion International Airport.

In response to the report, filed by a woman soldier, security forces set up dozens of roadblocks in the greater Tel Aviv area, Petah
Advertisement

Tikva and Highway 443. Two helicopters were scrambled as part of the clampdown. So far there have been no reports of any missing soldiers, and the report's credibility is being checked.

The Israeli dragnet, which began in the early afternoon and lasted into the evening, froze traffic around Ben-Gurion Airport on the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported a previously unknown organization called "Al-Quds Army" claimed responsibility for abducting an Israeli soldier.

The organization's statement read: "Our resistance fighters captured an Israeli soldier near Ben Gurion airport and withdrew along with the soldier peacefully - later we will give details about the captured soldier.

A Palestinian security official said the Al-Quds Army, while fairly obscure, was believed to have links to the Lebanese guerrilla group Hezbollah, a foe of the Jewish state.

The Palestinian security official could not immediately confirm that such a claim of responsibility had been made.

A driver who was stuck at the entry to Petah Tikva told Ynet, "This is usually a three-minute stretch of road but it took nearly 45-minutes."

Another said that dozens of police cruisers were seen rushing along the Atarot Junction in central Israel.