An atmosphere of high tension gripped the West Bank on Monday (June 30) night following the discovery of the bodies of the three teenagers the Israeli army has been looking for for the past two weeks.
The three boys went missing on June 12 hitchhiking from near Hebron.
Their bodies were found in the vicinity, near Halhul, covered with a pile of stones in a field.
Israel has blamed the militant Islamist Hamas organisation for kidnapping then murdering the boys. Hamas denies this, but has praised the abduction.
The Security Cabinet met on Monday (June 30) night with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling an emergency session. He may decide to further increase pressure on Hamas in the West Bank.
“I don’t know what to say, really, it’s painful. For everyone, not just Israelis. This is really, how can I tell you? It’s painful for everybody who feels humanity,” said one Arab man.
Monday saw all the last hope the families of the boys held out for seeing them alive again dashed, and at their homes the scenes were of loss and despair.
