Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that there was no evidence to show that Islamic Hamas movement was behind the kidnapping of three Israelis in the West Bank.
Abbas made the statement to reporters after meeting members of the Arab Journalists Union that held a conference in both Ramallah in the West Bank and in Gaza in solidarity with Jerusalem, Xinhua reported.
He also told reporters that kidnapping three Israelis in the West Bank could happen at any place, "but it is not justified and not accepted", adding that the Palestinians were doing their best to bring the three Israelis back.
Three Israeli teenagers disappeared near the southern West bank town of Hebron June 12. Israel said they were kidnapped and accused Hamas movement of being involved in the kidnapping.
The Israeli army therefore allegedly launched a large-scale military operation in the West Bank and arrested more than 400 Palestinians, including lawmakers, former prisoners and leaders.
According to Abbas, the Israeli army shot dead two Palestinian young men in the West Bank during a weeklong military operation all over the West Bank to search for the three Israelis.