Israel captures 2 of 6 prison escapees

JERUSALEM — Israeli police Friday night said they had caught two of the six Palestinians who broke out of a maximum-security prison this week in a daring escape that has captured the country’s attention.

Shortly afterward, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket toward Israel that the Israeli military said was intercepted by air defenses. No Palestinian group claimed responsibility for the attack, which is believed to be linked to the arrest.

Police said the two were caught in the Arab-majority city of Nazareth in northern Israel. The announcement identified them as Mahmoud Aradeh and Yakub Kadari — members of the Islamic Jihad militant group who were serving life sentences. They gave no resistance. Israeli media reports said a civilian had alerted police to two suspicious figures.

A video circulating on social media showed Israeli police shackling a man and asking him for his name. He calmly identifies himself as Kadari and answers “yes” when asked whether he is one of the escapees. Kadari was serving two life sentences for attempted murder and bomb planting.

The six Palestinians tunneled out of the Gilboa prison Monday, setting off a furious manhunt across Israel and the West Bank.

For the Palestinians, the fugitives were heroes who succeeded in freeing themselves. Fighting against Israel and taking part in attacks against the Israeli military or even civilians is a source of pride for many.

In the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank, Palestinians had organized sit-ins and joyful gatherings to celebrate the prison break.