JERUSALEM (AP) — Three Israeli suspects in the killing of a Palestinian teenager who was abducted and burned to death last week confessed to the crime yesterday and were re-enacting the incident for authorities, an official said, as the country’s leaders raced to contain a public uproar over the slaying.

The authorities reported the confessions as violence continued on Israel’s volatile front with the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants bombarded Israel with some 40 rockets and mortars, drawing Israeli airstrikes in retaliation, and at least eight Palestinian militants were killed. As Israel pressed ahead with a mobilisation of forces along the Gaza border, the Hamas militant group vowed revenge, saying “the enemy will pay a tremendous price”.

Army spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner said Israel was “prepared for a potential deterioration” in Gaza “with potential to use military force as required”.

The region has been on edge for weeks since three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and killed in the West Bank. Last week, hours after the Israeli teens were buried, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir was abducted from outside his home in east Jerusalem, and his charred remains were found shortly afterward in a Jerusalem forest. His death triggered days of violent protests in Arab areas of Jerusalem and northern Israel.

The Jewish suspects, all from the Jerusalem area, have not been identified, and remained in custody yesterday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the continuing investigation.

Israel’s Shin Bet internal security agency has put a gag order on the case, allowing few details, such as the suspects’ identities or backgrounds, to be published, and even blocking lawyers’ access to the suspects.