Israeli Military Spokesman Confirms Arrest Has Been Made in Connection to Murder of Three Israeli Teens

An arrest has been made in connection to mid-June's kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens, a military spokesman confirmed to CNN Tuesday.

Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner told host Jake Tapper that the operation "wasn't something the military carried out," but said an individual has been taken into custody.

"I can confirm that an individual has been arrested in connection with this," Lerner said. "I don't know to what level of involvement he has in the incident. But, indeed, I've heard this is true, it came out of the legal system."

The IDF spokesman, however, said he did not know the suspect's identity.

The Times of Israel reported that the individual arrested was Hussam Kawasme, citing information obtained from security officials.

The news came weeks after the murder of the three teens — Naftali Fraenkel,16, Gil-ad Shaar, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19 — increased tensions in Israel and Gaza, contributing largely to the commencement of the Israeli military's Operation Protective Edge.

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