Israel takes 150 into custody in search for missing teens

Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israeli soldiers have so far detained more than 150 Palestinian suspects in the search for three teenagers who Israel says were kidnapped, the military announced Sunday.
Among those detained were Hamas leaders and operatives, the military said.
"We are determined to bring them home and bring the perpetrators of their abduction to justice," said Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces.
"People have just dropped off the face of the earth and the three boys, who are our main concern, are the focus of our efforts," Lerner told CNN. "Hamas are behind that, and we are doing everything we can to shake them up as soon as possible in order to bring the boys home."
The teens went missing in Jewish settlements in the West Bank late last week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Monday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and told him to "assist in returning the abducted youths and in apprehending the kidnappers," according to Netanyahu's office.
He blamed Hamas for the kidnapping.
"Those who perpetrated the abduction of our youths were members of Hamas -- the same Hamas that Abu Mazen made a unity government with," he said Sunday.
Abu Mazen is another name for Abbas, whose government now includes Hamas, which controls Gaza.
"The consequences of the partnership with Hamas must be understood: It is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians and bad for the region," Netanyahu said.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that in a statement released by his office, Abbas condemned the kidnappings and called on all sides to refrain from violence.

One of the three boys is a dual Israeli-American citizen, according to CNN affiliate Channel 10 Israel, which attributed the information to a source at Netanyahu's office. Israeli and U.S. officials have not publicly confirmed the report.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called Sunday for the immediate release of the boys.
"We are still seeking details on the parties responsible for this despicable terrorist act, although many indications point to Hamas' involvement," Kerry said in a written statement that offered support to the Israeli government. "As we gather this information, we reiterate our position that Hamas is a terrorist organization known for its attacks on innocent civilians and which has used kidnapping in the past."