Breaking news from Israel, as "three bodies buried 'in a field near Hebron'" have been found by Israeli Army troops. They believe they are the bodies of the three teenagers kidnapped two weeks ago.
The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity before the official announcement, said the Army had found the three bodies buried “in a field near Hebron” and were waiting to inform the families before releasing information.
“They know it’s the three, they will know for sure after they do the autopsy."The official said the three appeared to have been shot to death, likely “very close to the kidnap” time, and that the prime suspects had still not been caught. (NYT)
Ha'aretz reports that as of 8:20p Israel time (1:20p EDT), "all entrances and exits from Hebron are closed by Israeli security forces," and the Knesset's "Security Cabinet is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting at 9:30 P.M."
Sad news all around, as the cycle of violence continues with little end in sight.
10:39 AM PT: The Ha'aretz link above now reports that the three bodies are confirmed to be teens in question (Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel). Not that it would have been any better to be anyone else--a life is a life--but this confirms what most people were dreading.
1:25 PM PT: President Obama has weighed in. From CBS' Mark Knoller: