Israel released the names of two suspects Friday who are believed to have kidnapped three Israeli teenagers two weeks ago in the West Bank. The three Israeli teens went missing while walking home from their religious school. 

Israel's domestic security agency announced that the two Palestinian suspects, Marwan Kawasma and Amer Abu Aysha, are members of the Islamist militant group Hamas, which is labeled a terrorist organization by Israel and most Western nations. While Israel does not have proof that they are the perpetrators, Israeli intelligence officials said both men are at large and are being hunted in the West Bank, according to The Washington Post. 

Kawasma and Aysha have been arrested before for their involvement with Hamas. The men were previously arrested for obtaining explosive material and recruiting Hamas operatives. 

While Hamas has denied being directly involved in the kidnapping, its leaders have praised the abduction of the teens, and urged for more Israelis to be kidnapped. 

Hamas is now joined in a coalition government with Fatah, which controls the West Bank. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip. 

The three students -- Eyal Yifrach, 19, and Naftali Fraenkel and Gilad Shaar, both 16 -- disappeared from the West Bank on June 12. Since then, the Israeli military has conducted a large scale operation to find them, rendering the operation the largest raid of the West Bank in a decade. 

The kidnapping incited the ire of Israelis, while the subsequent raids, arrests, house searches and a few deaths by the Israeli military have angered Palestinians, further raising tensions in the region. 

Tensions have been high since Fatah joined into a unity government with Hamas, which derailed U.S.-brokered peace negotiations between Israel and Palestinians.  

"The closures started here about a week and a half ago; soldiers started coming, and its been terrifying for the children," said Jihad Mohammad Dudeen, the father of a 15-year-old Palestinian who was killed by Israeli Defense Forces in a raid on Dura, a town near Hebron. 

His son, Mohammad Dudeen, is among five Palestinians shot and killed by the IDF in the last two weeks. A spokesman from the IDF said that four of the five who were killed posed a grievous threat to soldiers, as they were throwing grenades, rocks and fire bombs. He said all the deaths will be adequately investigated.

During the search for the teens, Israel has been trying to weaken Hamas by arresting 371 Palestinians--most of whom are connected to Hamas-- and closing down Hamas civilian institutions, including universities, charities and television stations. 

Many towns in the West Bank are on lock-down, and the men in the town, many of whom work in Israel, are prohibited from going to work.  

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israeli army, said the operation to find the abducted teenagers is "ongoing," according to The Washington Post. 

"We know Hamas is behind it," Lerner said. He added that Israel is trying to destabilize Hamas, and "send a clear message that it is not wise to abduct Israelis." 

Many right-wing Israeli politicians think the operation and lock-down should continue, despite the fact that the holy month of Ramadan is starting this weekend. 

"We cannot allow a situation where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians come to Israeli beaches on Ramadan and celebrate while all of Israel is worried about the fate of the three abducted teenagers," said Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon. 

"If the terrorists are sheltered amongst the Palestinian population, then we cannot continue with business as usual," he added.

However, some military experts, such as retired major Shaul Bartal, said the wide-scale operation should stop because of a growing resentment among Palestinians. 

"A lot of Palestinian Web sites are criticizing [Palestinian President Mahmoud] Abbas," Bartal told The Washington Post. "Abbas said the three children are human beings who should be returned to their families, but [Hamas leader Khaled] Mashaal called them soldiers in the Zionist army, and I think that view [among Palestinians] is more popular."

While the operation has allowed Israel to obtain significant information about Hamas operations, Bartal said the offensive could have an adverse effect and increase Hamas' popularity among Palestinians.