If there's one good thing that has brought out from the tragic deaths of four Israeli and Palestinian teens found by police on Monday, it is that the families of the dead teenagers have put up a united front in the efforts of stopping violent retaliation.
Buzzfeed reported that the Fraenkel family, whose son Naftali's remains was found alongside those of Gilad Shaar, and Eyal Yifrach in a shallow grave in the southern West Bank city of Hebron has released a statement denouncing any plans of revenge in their son's name.
In a statement, the Fraenkels said, "If, in fact, an Arab youth was killed for nationalistic reasons, then we're talking about an awful and shocking deed. There is no difference between blood and blood. Murder is murder, whatever the nationality and age. There is no justification, nor forgiving, and no atonement for any murder."
Hours after the discovery of the teens, Muhammed Abu Khubair was kidnapped from his home. Israeli police later found his body burned beyond recognition on Wednesday in the forest just outside Jerusalem. Violence between the two factions quickly escalated as riots raged just outside the Abu Khubair home, Buzzfeed said.
The Abu Khubair family in Shuafat has since spoke out against the kidnapping and killing, whether of Jews of Arab. Muhammed's father, Hussein Abu Khubair, told the New York Times, "I am against kidnapping and killing. Whether Jew or Arab, who can accept the kidnapping and killing of his son or daughter? I call on both sides to stop the bloodshed."
Both Israeli and Palestinian officials have also called out for calm, and said that neither of the side wanted to see an escalation of the violence. Sadly, Buzzfeed noted that a few had only heeded to both the families and the officials.
On Thursday, Israeli troops mobilized around the Gaza Strip following the firing of some 30 rockets by Palestinian militants at southern Israel over 24 hours, which caused the destruction of homes in the border town of Sderot. According to Palestinian medics, Israeli strikes overnight had hit 15 various sites and wounded 15 people in the process.
