Palestinian official warns of major unrest if any of prison escapees is killed

The governor of the West Bank city of Jenin warns that major unrest could erupt if any of the six Palestinian security prisoners who escaped this week is killed during an operation to recapture them.

Speaking with the Kan public broadcaster, Akram Rajoub says that while he doesn’t believe the recent developments will lead to a full-blown intifada, or uprising, “if their lives are harmed — the situation will be very bad.”

Rajoub, an associate of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, says Ramallah won’t cooperate with the Israeli efforts to locate and re-arrest the terror convicts.

“That would be a severe step that would harm the prisoners’ lives and Palestinian morale,” he says. “The responsibility is on the Israelis. Prisoners have a sacred place, the nation won’t abandon its sons.”