Israel Says Palestinians Kidnapped Three Missing Teens

Jerusalem: Three Israeli teenagers, one of them also a US citizen, have been kidnapped in the occupied West Bank, presumably by Palestinians, the army said on Saturday.

The three, all students at a Jewish seminary, went missing late Thursday as they were hitchhiking between Bethlehem and Hebron.

"We believe that they have indeed been kidnapped by presumed Palestinians," a senior officer told journalists, without giving further details on who was behind the incident.

He said the search is being carried out in coordination with security forces from the Palestinian Authority, and that "tens of Palestinians" have been arrested in the process.

He added that substantial reinforcements had been brought in, including special forces and an airborne brigade, to participate in the search around Hebron, in the southern West Bank.

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Asked if it was thought they had been kidnapped to hold as hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, he said the army was studying all scenarios.

Military radio, quoting other officers, said without elaborating that "certain progress" has been made in the search.

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