The IDF has arrested in the occupied West Bank at least five relatives of Palestinians who escaped from an Israeli prison earlier this week and are still at large, a Palestinian detainee organization reported Wednesday (September 8th).
Israeli forces have been waging a massive manhunt since the September 6 escape of six Palestinians, members of armed groups.
The fugitives had dug a tunnel under a sink in a top-security prison in northern Israel.
Prison break: This is the entrance to the tunnel that 5 members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and one from Al-Aqsa Martyr's brigade used to escape Gilboa prison.
Read more: https://t.co/jWXNA2QWho
Report by @AAhronheim #Prison |
#Terrorists
Video Credit: Israel Prison Service pic.twitter.com/p47YTk7yjr
- The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) September 6, 2021
Observation drones have been deployed and roadblocks set up, particularly in the occupied West Bank and around the Gaza Strip, to find these imprisoned prisoners.
Some had been sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in anti-Israel attacks.
Two brothers of Mahmoud Ardah, presented by local media as the architect of the operation, have been arrested by the Israeli army, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said in a statement.
One of his cousins also fled.
His brother was arrested, as well as doctor Nidal Ardah, a member of their family, added the association.
The father of Munadel Infeiat, an escapee also a member of the armed group Islamic Jihad, was also arrested, according to this source.
Other family members of the fugitives may have been arrested, Amani Sarahneh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, told AFP, adding that some relatives were questioned and released.
An embarrassing and sensitive case for the Israeli authorities
Asked by AFP, the Israeli army, which has occupied the West Bank since 1967, confirmed that "several arrests took place during the night", but declined to give further details.
Israeli justice has issued a ban on the details of the investigation as the local press tries to lift the veil on the embarrassing and sensitive case.
The authorities fear, among other things, that the Palestinians on the run will carry out attacks.
"It is the right of every prisoner to seek a way to achieve his freedom," Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said on Tuesday, saying he was "happy" at the escape.
In the Gaza Strip and in Jenin, a city in the north of the West Bank where some fugitives come from, many people took to the streets on Monday to celebrate the escape of the prisoners, who became "heroes", but also the men. most wanted by Israel.
With AFP
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