(JNS.org) The IDF military court on Thursday, Sept. 4 indicted Hamas mastermind Hussam Kawasme for the kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers Gilad Shaar (16), Naftali Frenkel (16), and Eyal Yifrach (19) in June.

One of Kawasme’s brothers, Hassin, is currently in prison for involvement in the March 2011 bombing attack on the International Convention Center in Jerusalem, and another Kawasme brother, Mahmoud, was imprisoned for involvement in an August 2004 double suicide bombing in Beersheba that killed 16 Israelis. The Shin Bet described Hussam Kawasme, 40, as a command-level Hamas operative who raised money for June’s kidnapping with the help of Mahmoud Kawasme, who had been released and expelled by Israel to Gaza as part of the 2011 deal that secured Hamas captive Gilad Shalit’s freedom. Hussam Kawasme allegedly used the money to buy a vehicle that was then used to kidnap the three teenagers.