Bodies of three kidnapped Israeli teens found in West Bank

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Bodies of three kidnapped Israeli teens found in West Bank.

Security forces find bodies outside Hebron in Beit Kahil region on 18th day of search for Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Fraenkel and Eyal Yifrah; security cabinet to convene later Monday night.

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MARC ISRAEL SELLEM 

Bystanders at Halhul junction mourn the deaths of the three kidnapped boys

The bodies of the three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped over two weeks ago were found by security forces in a field northwest of Hebron on Monday afternoon.

The discovery came after the Shin Bet focused its efforts in the area over the past two days during searches for the three abducted Israeli teens, who were abducted from a hitchhiking point in Gush Etzion.

Related:

• Government: West Bank search operation for teens to continue
• Gush Etzion residents hold rally for kidnapped boys

The bodies were being transported to Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in Tel Aviv for further examination.

A large number of police officers and security forces had gathered at the Halhul junction north of Hebron, near the area where the three were said to have been abducted. The area was declared a closed military perimeter.

Clashes broke out in the area between security forces and Palestinians.

A special cabinet meeting was reportedly set to convene later Monday night.

The Knesset had cancelled all votes in the plenum on Monday evening due to "developments."

Earlier on Monday evening, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon had announced that progress had been made in the more than two-week search for Gil-Ad Shaer, Naftali Fraenkel and Eyal Yifrah, reported Israel Radio.