The Israeli army announced Wednesday evening September 8 the deployment of military reinforcements in the occupied West Bank in order to "
track down
" the six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from a prison and "
prevent
" possible violence on the spot.
Read alsoIn Israel, the spectacular escape of six Palestinian prisoners
Following an assessment of the security situation carried out by the head of the army, General Aviv Kohavi, it was decided "
to reinforce the troops in Judea and Samaria (name given by Israel to the West Bank, editor's note) with combat units and aerial observation units to help capture security prisoners and prevent terrorist attacks
, ”the army said in a press message.
Demonstrations of support for the escapees
Israeli forces have been carrying out a massive manhunt since the escape on Monday of six Palestinians, members of armed groups, through a tunnel dug under a sink in the high security prison of Gilboa, a modus operandi almost taken from a film by 'Hollywood.
Observation drones have been deployed, roadblocks set up, especially in the occupied West Bank and around the Gaza Strip, to locate these prisoners, some of whom have been sentenced to life for their role in anti-Israel attacks.
Asked by AFP, an army spokesperson confirmed that elements had already been deployed but that others were following while demonstrations in support of the escapees, and more generally of the Palestinian prisoners, are planned for the evening in various towns in the West Bank, such as Ramallah, Nablus or Jenin, the area where the fugitives come from.
Relatives of Palestinians arrested
The Israeli army had arrested relatives of the six Palestinians overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, an organization for the defense of detainees.
Asked by AFP, the Israeli army, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967, confirmed that "
several arrests
" had taken place during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday without giving further details.
Read alsoSix Palestinians escape from prison in Israel, including a former military chief
The Israeli justice system has also issued a ban on publication of the details of the investigation as the local press tries to lift the veil on this embarrassing and sensitive case, the authorities fearing among other things that the Palestinians on the run. carry out attacks.