Israel bombs Gaza following discovery of dead teenagers

Israeli naval boats have struck alleged training facilities of Hamas militants in northern Gaza after the bodies of three abducted teenagers were found.

The attacks followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow that 'Hamas will pay' for the slayings in the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Malta has joined world leaders in condemning the murders. In a statement issued today, government expressed its grief and solidarity with the teenagers’ families and Israel.

“At the same time, the Maltese government also expresses its grief at the death of Palestinian citizens who were killed during the search for the missing teenagers. The Maltese government believes that those responsible for the murders should be brought to justice."

Moreover, government said it disagreed with any actions of collective punishment on the Palestinian people, which punishes innocent and well-meaning persons.

Any acts of retribution, the government added, dents hopes of a long lasting reconciliation between Palestine and Israel. In its statement, government also condemned extremism on both sides and urged all parties to eradicate extremists who impede the peace process.

Yesterday, the bodies of Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Frankel, 16, were found in a field north of the city of Hebron.

Hamas denies involvement and has accused Israel of using the deaths as a pretext for a planned military escalation against Palestinians.

'We reject all Israeli allegations and threats against us,' Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

'We are already used to it and will know how to defend ourselves. No Palestinian group, Hamas or any other group, has taken responsibility for the action and thus the Israeli version can't be trusted.'

Israel believes that two alleged Hamas members named Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aysha abducted the three teenagers and shot them soon afterwards.

After 18 suspenseful days and nights, which saw large-scale arrest raids in the West Bank and an escalation in rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Israelis reacted with shock at the teens' fate.

Hundreds of youths gathered in central Jerusalem's Zion and Tel Aviv's Rabin squares, lighting candles and singing.

'Hamas is responsible, and Hamas will pay,' Netanyahu said. 'They were abducted and murdered in cold blood by animals.' Hardline ministers demanded harsh retaliation.

'There is no mercy for the murderers of children,' said Economy Minister Naftali Bennett of the pro-settler Jewish Home party.

President Mahmoud Abbas called an urgent meeting Tuesday of the Palestinian leadership to discuss 'the implications' of the discovery of the bodies.

Israeli military spokesman Peter Lerner vowed that Israel would bring the perpetrators to justice.