Riots ensue in Judea and Samaria after prison break
Riots broke out throughout Judea and Samaria on Wednesday following the escape of six terrorists from the Gilboa Prison on Sunday night.
A view of the border between Israel and Jordan on Highway 90 in the Jordan Valley, on July 6, 2017. Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90.
Arabs clashed with Israeli forces at points in the region, threw rocks and firebombs at the troops and burned tires. Shots were fired at the Israeli soldiers near Ramallah.
There were no Israeli casualties. Arab sources reported that several rioters sustained light injuries.
The riots were a show of solidarity with the six Islamic Jihad and Fatah terrorists who escaped, who are still at large. Fatah called for “an urgent popular uprising in all Palestinian cities, villages, and camps,” saying it “will stand with the Palestinian people alongside the heroic prisoners, and will not leave them alone in this battle.”
The IDF has streamed enforcements to the region, fearing a severe escalation, including three full combat battalions, and seven companies consisting of intelligence units and air units.
In accordance with the security assessment and the efforts to locate the escaped prisoners, the IDF decided to extend the general closure in the Judea and Samaria area that started on Monday until Saturday, subject to the assessment of the situation.
The crossings of goods to the Gaza Strip and in the Judea and Samaria area will continue. Humanitarian, medical and exceptional cases are subject to the approval of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories.
The riots in Juda and Samaria were preceded by riots in several Israeli prisons by Islamic Jihad terrorists. Following the prison break, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) decided on a reshuffling of the prisoners to break any other possible plots. The prisoners resisted, setting their cells on fire. The disturbances were quickly quilled. No injuries were reported.
