RAMALLAH: Israel flooded the occupied West Bank with reinforcements on Wednesday in the manhunt for six Palestinians who have been on the run for three days after escaping from a top security prison.
The army said in a statement that in order to try to find the men “it has been decided to extend the general closure of Judea and Samaria”, Israel s terminology for the West Bank.
It said the closure will last until midnight on Friday “subject to a situational assessment”.
Army chief Aviv Kohavi had decided to “reinforce IDF troops… with combat battalions, observation troops and a number of IDF aircrafts that are observing the area to assist in capturing the security prisoners and thwart terrorist attacks in the region”, the statement said.
Demonstrations were held in several West Bank towns late Wednesday in support of the fugitives.
In Nablus, youths set tyres alight during confrontations with Israeli security forces. The Palestinian Red Crescent said 60 protesters were injured by tear gas near Nablus.
