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Israel holds murdered teenagers' funerals Israel holds murdered teenagers' funerals
(35 minutes later)
The funerals are taking place in Israel of three teenagers who were abducted and murdered while hitch-hiking in the occupied West Bank.The funerals are taking place in Israel of three teenagers who were abducted and murdered while hitch-hiking in the occupied West Bank.
Addressing thousands of mourners, PM Benjamin Netanyahu described their killers as "heinous murderers".Addressing thousands of mourners, PM Benjamin Netanyahu described their killers as "heinous murderers".
Israel has blamed the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the deaths. Hamas has denied any involvement.Israel has blamed the Palestinian militant group Hamas for the deaths. Hamas has denied any involvement.
The youths' bodies were found on Monday evening, more than two weeks after the trio went missing.The youths' bodies were found on Monday evening, more than two weeks after the trio went missing.
Mr Netanyahu has said Hamas will be made to pay a price for the killings.Mr Netanyahu has said Hamas will be made to pay a price for the killings.
Speaking at the joint funeral held for Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach in central Israel, Mr Netanyahu said "a broad moral gulf separates us from our enemy. They sanctify death, we sanctify life".Speaking at the joint funeral held for Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach in central Israel, Mr Netanyahu said "a broad moral gulf separates us from our enemy. They sanctify death, we sanctify life".
He added: "This day has spontaneously become a national day of mourning. The whole nation prayed for the boys to come home... The whole nation stood together and was reminded of who we are, why we are here." Analysis, by Kevin Connolly, BBC News, Jerusalem
The scenes at the funeral of the three murdered teenagers were extraordinary.
In burning afternoon sunshine tens of thousands of mourners made their way through the steep, arid landscape outside the central Israeli town of Modein to this tiny hilltop cemetery.
The crowds were large enough to delay the start of proceedings.
When the funeral began the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the speakers - although there were reports that the families had asked him not to address the issue of any possible Israeli response to Hamas.
Mr Netanyahu saw a lesson in the tragedy that resonates for him with broader Jewish history.
"One nation stood together," he said, "and got a reminder of who we are and why we are here."
As day gave way to night here on both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli divide the question of how Israel will respond to this bitter loss was being asked with greater urgency.
Overnight, Israel launched more than 30 air strikes on facilities linked to militant groups in the Gaza Strip after 18 rockets had been fired into Israel since Sunday night, the Israeli military reported.Overnight, Israel launched more than 30 air strikes on facilities linked to militant groups in the Gaza Strip after 18 rockets had been fired into Israel since Sunday night, the Israeli military reported.
The funeral is taking place at Modein cemetery in central Israel. Modein, which is between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is close to the boys' family homes.The funeral is taking place at Modein cemetery in central Israel. Modein, which is between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is close to the boys' family homes.
The teenagers' bodies were found under a pile of rocks near the Palestinian town of Halhul. An Israeli official said it appeared the youths had been shot soon after their abduction.The teenagers' bodies were found under a pile of rocks near the Palestinian town of Halhul. An Israeli official said it appeared the youths had been shot soon after their abduction.
Israeli troops flooded into Halhul after the discovery.Israeli troops flooded into Halhul after the discovery.
Israel's Shin Bet security agency had named named two Hamas members from Hebron - Ayoub al-Kawasma and Abu Aisheh - as suspects. The Israeli military raided the homes of both men, setting off explosives.Israel's Shin Bet security agency had named named two Hamas members from Hebron - Ayoub al-Kawasma and Abu Aisheh - as suspects. The Israeli military raided the homes of both men, setting off explosives.
Palestinian witnesses said Abu Aisheh's home was destroyed.Palestinian witnesses said Abu Aisheh's home was destroyed.
Analysis, by Kevin Connolly, BBC News, Jerusalem
Israel's overnight air raids on Hamas targets in Gaza were an immediate response to a wave of missile attacks launched from the Palestinian enclave since Sunday.
They should not be seen as a definitive response to the abduction and murder of the three teenage boys whose fate has transfixed this country over the course of the last two-and-a-half weeks.
In keeping with Jewish religious custom, the funerals will take place on Tuesday - and only when they have passed and the outpouring of national grief they will prompt has died down will Israel's governments finalise its military and political plans.
Having firmly focused the blame for the murders on Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to demonstrate to the Israeli public that his response will be calibrated to match the huge sense of anger and outrage that is felt here.
In the past, Israel has used targeted missile attacks to kill senior members of militant groups and it has the military capacity to target Hamas's stockpiles of missiles and rockets in a sustained campaign.
And it will have a clear political goal too. Israel was angered by the creation of a Palestinian unity government which brought together Hamas with the Palestinian Authority, whose forces helped to look for the victims.
Israeli security forces have set up blockades and closed down whole areas around Halhul, a few kilometres from where the teenagers were last seen.Israeli security forces have set up blockades and closed down whole areas around Halhul, a few kilometres from where the teenagers were last seen.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called an emergency meeting of the Palestinian leadership and has expressed "regret" over the deaths.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called an emergency meeting of the Palestinian leadership and has expressed "regret" over the deaths.
The disappearance of the teenagers on 12 June sparked a huge search operation in Palestinian towns and cities across the West Bank.The disappearance of the teenagers on 12 June sparked a huge search operation in Palestinian towns and cities across the West Bank.
More than 400 Palestinians were arrested, while five were killed in fighting with Israeli troops.More than 400 Palestinians were arrested, while five were killed in fighting with Israeli troops.
Mr Netanyahu has said the incident is a consequence of "the partnership" between Hamas, which rejects Israel's right to exist, and the Fatah movement of Mr Abbas.Mr Netanyahu has said the incident is a consequence of "the partnership" between Hamas, which rejects Israel's right to exist, and the Fatah movement of Mr Abbas.
The two signed a reconciliation deal in April after years of division and formed a unity government last month.The two signed a reconciliation deal in April after years of division and formed a unity government last month.
Are you in any of the affected areas? Email details of your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject "Israel-Gaza".Are you in any of the affected areas? Email details of your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject "Israel-Gaza".