كتائب شهداء الأقصى
Initially a number of groups, some previously unknown, claimed responsibility for the kidnappings: The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (subsequently denied); a West Bank Branch of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, "Brigades of Global Jihad", "Ahrar ar-Khalil" (Liberators Battalion of Hebron), and "Regiments of Hezbollah". It was not clear how true their claims were, and the middle three were not considered credible.