Israeli prison
צילום: דני סלומון
Hamas presents: How to kidnap soldier
In tiny handwriting on piece of paper, security prisoner jailed in Israel provides horrifying orders on how to abduct Israeli soldier; 'collect weapons to be hidden in washing machine, keep soldier in pit for months,' letter instructs
In a letter comprised of written messages in tiny handwriting on a piece of paper, a Hamas security prisoner jailed in Israel provided instructions to his visitors on how to carry out a bargaining attack of kidnapping an Israeli soldier.
"Dear brother, the most important thing is to find a guarded place to put the captive in. The operation will drive the Israelis crazy, and they will be willing to pay any price to know where he is," the letter says.
The letter was captured by a prison guard on July 2003 after a prisoner attempted to smuggle it. Its content provides a rare peek into orders conveyed to terror organizations and into the importance they ascribe to the kidnapping of a living Israeli soldier, which may lead to their release.
"Hello my dear brother. We are at a prison belonging to the occupiers, dying 100 times every day and must get out at any price. As you know, my dear brother, we have no one else but you and God. The interrogations are a crime used by the Shin Bet to investigate the guys," the letter begins.
"And now, let's get to the point and move to our military activity: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep the matter a secret, look for 'real men' and keep the plan a secret as required.
"My brother! In the course of this month or in the coming days there will be a washing machine with weapons inside it. We will provide you with ammunition, and you will be responsible for all of this.
'Treat him well'
"These weapons are only destined for kidnapping. You have to be very smart, and the most important thing is to find a place to put the captive in. The kidnapping place has to be an extremely guarded place because this operation will drive the Israelis crazy and they will be willing to pay any price to know where he is, and they will turn everything upside down when it comes to an abducted soldier.
"You will have him, because there are people who are responsible for the kidnapping operation. Your duty is to watch the soldier, don't kill him and keep him alive. The important thing is to find a place. You must understand me well and be careful.
"The most important thing here, I remind you, is the abducted soldier's hiding place. You will have to dig a pit and I, God willing, will funnel you a lot of money, even if you have to stay in this pit for a month or two.
"God willing, the moment you get the soldier you must treat him very well because our Islam has a lot of mercifulness. Of course you will have a lot of money, therefore buy him a lot of food. The moment our leadership informs us on the end of the 'hudna' (calm) I will inform you and your team. Only your team must guard him.
"You will be one of the greatest of Izz AL-Din al-Qassam. I will provide you with an explosive belt in order to prepare it for those who are ready to commit suicide, and beware of the collaborators and all the people around you," the letter concludes.
