Recent Developments and Israeli Action over Palestinian Prisoners' Escape

Translated by Ahmad Afaneh

Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation or its Arabic branding Makan, said that the search for the six Palestinian prisoners who escaped from Gilboa prison on Monday is relentlessly underway.

As per Makan, surveillance cameras of the prison showed that the escaped prisoners moved north in the direction of Ein Haroud Road, but police believe that was done by them as a diversion.

Makan revealed that the surveillance camera recorded the escape, but the guards didn't monitor it in real time.

It noted that Israel Prison Service is investigating the possibility that a woman warden who was in the guard tower near the tunnel shaft that the six prisoners escaped from, fell asleep.

Preliminary Investigation:

Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said that the preliminary investigation conducted by Israel Prison Service revealed that at 1:30 am local time the six prisoners went into the bathroom then lifted a metal cover off the floor then moved one by one into the narrow tunnel shaft, crawled for a few tens of metres to the other end of the tunnel, which is few metres from the prison wall near the guard tower.

It seems that they changed their clothes and continued their escape in getaway car, based on the assessment of Israel Prison Service (IPS).

At 1:49 local time police received a report from one of the Israeli citizens who was driving on 71 road near Gilboa prison, about a suspect holding things in his hand.

At about 2:00 am local time the police patrol car arrived at the place.

At about 2:14 local time police received another report about a suspect seen at the place.

Israeli police erected 260 roadblocks all over the country. Israel Police Operations Brigadier General Shimon Nahmani said in an interview on Makan radio that it was likely they had getaway cars in an aid to their escape.

Ayham Kammajy's father and Brother Called for Questioning:

Palestinian sources said to Al-Quds newspaper that Ayham Kammajy's father and Brother -from Kufur Dan village west of Jenin- were called for questioning to Salem camp by Israeli troops. Also, Israeli infantry force conductive a massive sweep operation in search for the escaped prisoner Ya'aqoup Qadry within the perimeters of Beir A-Basha village south of Jenin.

When it comes to Israeli leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Neftali Bennet held security consultation session on Monday following the escape. It was attended by Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Public Security Minister Omer Barley, head of Shin Bet Nadav Argaman, Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai, Commissioner of Israel Prison Service General Kaity Berry and others.

 Kan radio station noted that police is investigating the possibility that some prison guards were involved in the escape of the six Palestinian prisoners from Gilboa prison. Also, the prison guard investigation unit is taking part in the probe.

Reported by Makan Agency