Rioting in Palestinian towns and villages resumed overnight Thursday in response to security forces' ongoing pursuit of six escaped terrorists and changes Israel has made to the prison conditions for terrorist inmates.
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Groups of a few dozen Palestinians took part in the violence. At Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, some threw rocks at a passing bus. No injuries were reported. In Hebron, rioters threw rocks at IDF soldiers. Protests were also reported in Ramallah.
More violence was expected on Friday throughout Judea and Samaria, as well as on the Temple Mount following prayers. The IDF was preparing to handle the "day of rage" declared by Hamas.
In a written message, Hamas on Thursday called on "the Palestinian masses to hold a day of rage on Friday against the arrogance of the occupation and its aggression against prisoners." Hamas also called for supporters to clash with Israeli security forces and stressed that they should take place "from Rafah to Jenin."
As of Friday morning, security and defense forces were preparing to spend days if not weeks searching for the fugitives from Gilboa Prison. The escaped prisoners are believed to have split up, and at least some of them have reached the West Bank.
The security establish thinks that Arab Israelis and Palestinians in Judea and Samaria are aiding the escapees. The IDF will be increasing forces deployed and has decided that combat troops on duty in Judea and Samaria will not be allowed leave this weekend.
Thus far, a few Palestinians – mostly relatives of the prisoners – have been detained in connection with the escape.
Due to the escalating tensions following the prison break, the Israel Police raised the level of alert nationwide to one level below the highest. The high alert will remain in place over the weekend.
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The police said that its main focus would be to locate the fugitives, working with the other branches of Israel's security apparatus. The police also plan to up patrol presence at crowded areas and shopping centers throughout Israel.
The Israel Police were poised to make the jump to a state of emergency and had special forces units ready to handle rioting.
"As events unfold, they will be handled with great force and speed, with the goal being to secure control," the police said.
In addition to attempting to keep ethno-religious violence in check, the police are also preparing to aid the Israel Prisons Services should unrest in the nation's prisons reach a level with which the IPS is unable to cope. Police patrol cars stationed next to prison facilities are on alert.
Roadblocks will remain in place over the weekend.
