Family of murdered IDF soldier protests against release of his murderer as part of hostage deal with Hamas

Since the beginning of the second hostage deal of the current war with Gaza, Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many who assisted, planned or directed terror attacks against Israelis in the past.

This has focused much media attention on the families of those murdered by the released terrorists.

When asked, most of them told reporters that while their loved ones can’t return, the hostages can still be reunited with their families and therefore supported the deal.

Now, the Jerusalem Post reports that the family of an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier kidnapped and murdered by terrorists in 1996 is ready to fight against the possible release of one of his killers.

Speaking for the Edri family, Jonathan Karten told the Post: “I’m happy the families get to hold their loved ones again, and I can’t help myself from tearing up when they embrace each other.”

“I think of my family and the moment they could’ve had as well.”

Sharon Edri, a young IDF soldier, was kidnapped while hitchhiking on the way home in 1996, during Benjamin Netanyahu's first stint as prime minister.

Members of the infamous Tsurif cell, a group of terrorists affiliated with Hamas, dressed up like ultra-orthodox Jews and lured Edri into the car, before murdering him, cutting up the body and hiding it in their home village of Tsurif, near Hebron.

The Edri family and thousands of volunteers searched for Sharon for seven long months, joined by family members, Edri’s comrades from the Nahal reconnaissance unit, childhood friends, residents of his home-moshav Zanoah and many others.

Finally, Edri’s body was found, leading to the arrests of the terror cell. In addition to Edri, the cell was responsible for the murders of 10 other Israelis and wounding 49 in several attacks in 1996.

Two members of the cell were given life-sentences for their activities: Abd al-Rahman Ghanimat, and Jamal al-Hur. Both said during the sentencing that they didn’t regret their actions, the Post reported.

However, when Netanyahu agreed to exchange kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit for over a thousand terrorists in 2011, including former Hamas leader who was recently killed in an operation in Gaza – Yahya Sinwar – Ghanimat went free again and was deported to Gaza.

Within three years, he had directed another a gruesome kidnapping and murder, this time, of the three Israeli teenagers Gilad Shaar, Naftali Fraenkel, and Eyal Yifrach.

The other terrorist convicted for murdering Edri, Jamal al-Hur, is now being considered for release under the current hostage deal.

“Had justice been given in my uncle’s case, the families of Gilad, Naftali, and Eyal would not have been in the same situation. We could have avoided their horror somehow,” said Karten.

“We’re just repeating history, and I don’t know whose family is going to be the next victim.”

Karten emphasized how his and his family’s life was shaped by Edri, and his absence after the murder.

“Because of him, I decided to serve in the military. Because of him, I decided to live in Israel,” he said.

“We want to make sure every family receives their justice so this doesn’t happen again.”