It was clear that Israel accusing Hamas of kidnapping the three teenagers in Hebron on June 12 would open a new page in the conflict between the two, even without Hamas claiming responsibility for the act.
Israelis made threats against Hamas and started a widespread arrest campaign netting more than 200 Hamas members, of different levels, in the West Bank. Those arrested include members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, former ministers, university professors, along with field operatives and more than 50 former Palestinian prisoners who were recently released in the prisoner exchange deal with Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.