IDF on high alert following prison break
The IDF is on high alert in Judea and Samaria and on the border with the Gaza Strip following the escape of six terrorists from the Gilboa Prison on Sunday night.
Gilboa Prison
The IDF has streamed enforcements to Judea and Samaria to boost security and assist in the hunt for the escaped prisoners.
The Israeli defence establishment fears a deterioration of the security stability in Judea and Samaria, Gaza and inside Israel following the terrorists’ capture or death, or a violent clash that will lead to further escalation.
The IDF has warned before Rosh Hashanah of the possibility of escalation, also following Hamas’ threat to escalate its attacks on Israel as a means to exert pressure on the country to accept its dictates.
The Islamic Jihad has threatened severe violence if the escaped terrorists, five of whom are members of the terrorist organization, are captured or killed.
Israeli analyst Yoni Ben Menachem, of the Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs (JCPA), said that the defence establishment estimates that the hunt for the six fleeing terrorists will continue for a long time, and the main task of the security forces at the moment is to prevent a further escalation.
He further noted that the Palestinian street is in euphoria following the escape and due to the Israeli security failure. The Arabs view the escape of the terrorists as another important achievement of the Palestinian struggle after the killing of Border Police fighter Barel Shmueli on the Gaza Strip border.
Minister of Internal Security Omer Bar-Lev stated Thursday that Israel’s security forces are “engaged in a pursuit that will not end until we get our hands on the fleeing terrorists.”
“At the same time, an investigation is underway to find out whether the escape was accompanied by criminals. We will lay our hands on the fleeing terrorists, correct the failures that led to the escapes, and if we find professional negligence, we will take care of that as well,” he added.
