Israel army, police raise alert level as manhunt continues

Israeli police yesterday raised their level of alert to the second-highest point possible as the search for the six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from Gilboa Prison continues, Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported.

The Israeli army also cancelled all leave for soldiers stationed in the occupied West Bank over fears of possible protests due to be held after Friday prayers today.

Haaretz said the Israeli security services believe the prisoners have succeeded in entering the occupied West Bank, which would make their arrest even more difficult as it could lead to confrontations with armed resistance factions who will try to protect them.

The paper said the Israeli security service’s estimates indicate that the search for the prisoners could take several weeks.

An Israeli security source told Haaretz that the prisoners have become a symbol for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and any attempt at security coordination with the aim of arresting them will be considered treason.

READ: International calls to protect Palestinian prisoners from Israel’s brutality