The Hamas terrorist group has warned it will “open the gates of hell” if Israel sought to escalate its operation against the Islamist group in response to the murder of the three Israeli teenagers whose bodies were found this afternoon.

“If the occupiers carry out an escalation or a war, they will open the gates of hell on themselves,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP.    

The warning came shortly after Israel confirmed finding the bodies of the three students who disappeared while hitchhiking in Gush Etzion on June 12.  

The bodies were found in a field near the Arab village of Halhoul some 10 minutes from the roadside spot where they were last seen, media reports said.

Israel has said Hamas is behind the kidnapping; last week, authorities released for publication the identities of two Hamas operatives wanted in connection with the kidnappings. They are now being sought for murder.