The Three Missing Israeli Teens Found Dead in West Bank

Tensions between Israel and Hamas ratcheted up Monday after the bodies of three Israeli teenagers, kidnapped this month, were found in the West Bank. Israel, in no uncertain terms, blames the disappearances and deaths on Hamas. "Hamas will pay," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri warned against escalation, saying that if Netanyahu "brings a war on Gaza, the gates of hell will open to him." The three bodies were found northwest of Hebron, according to the Israeli military, which said they were still in the process of being identified.

The teens -- Eyal Yifrach, 19; Gilad Shaar, 16; and Naftali Frankel, a 16-year-old dual U.S.-Israeli citizen -- disappeared late June 12 or early June 13 from the Jewish settlement of Gush Etzion in the West Bank, the military said. Israeli military strikes Hamas targets Aunt of Israeli teen: He was innocent Barghouthi: no proof of Hamas involvement

"Although the identification has not been officially confirmed, I would like to send my support and condolences to the Shaar, Frankel and Yifrach families," Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, with the Israel Defense Forces, told reporters.

He vowed to pursue those responsible. "The war on terror continues. It didn't begin now and it will not be over soon," Alon told reporters.

"We will do whatever it takes to deter Hamas and other terrorists and we'll continue to fight terror using every legal means at our disposal."

An aunt of one of the victims told CNN she was still in shock.
"I'm holding his picture and I see his smile," said Leehy Shaar, Gilad Shaar's aunt. "He's so young and innocent ... It's just too sad to even imagine."

Source: CNN