Bodies of three missing Israeli teenagers found in West Bank

Jerusalem, June 30 (IANS) The Israeli security forces Monday found the bodies of three teenagers, kidnapped over two weeks ago, outside Hebron in West Bank, media reports said.

The bodies of Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel, both 16, and Eyal Yifrah, 19, were found in a field north of the Palestinian town Halhul on the 18th day of search, The Jerusalem Post reported, adding that there was a heavy military presence in Hebron.

The area where the bodies were found has been declared a closed military perimeter. An emergency meeting of Israel's security cabinet will convene later Monday night.

The trio went missing on June 12 from a hitchhiking station in Gush Etzion.

Israel launched a massive search operation for the three throughout the West Bank and conducted operations against Hamas, which Israel held responsible for the abduction. Hundreds of Palestinians were arrested during the search operation.