’Israel’ on Monday confirmed finding the bodies of three settlers who disappeared in the southern West Bank on June 12, blaming Hamas movement for their kidnapping and murder.

'Israel' on Monday confirmed finding the bodies of three settlers who disappeared in the southern West Bank on June 12, blaming Hamas movement for their kidnapping and murder.

During the search for Eyal Ifrach, Gilad Shaer and Naftali Frankel, the IOF discovered 3 bodies near Hebron, the Israeli army said in a statement on Twitter.

It was not immediately clear how they died.

Deputy defense minister Danny Danon also confirmed their bodies had been discovered, claiming they had been murdered by Hamas fighters and calling for a widespread operation to eradicate the movement.

Public radio said the bodies were discovered in a field near Halhul, a town north of Hebron, about 10 minutes from the roadside in the southern West Bank where they were last seen.