BETHLEHEM, Jan 27: Six Palestinian militants jailed in the West Bank city of Bethlehem escaped on Sunday after their families attacked and took control of the prison, Palestinian security sources said.

They said Palestinian police put up some resistance but up to 70 people, including family members, stormed the prison where the six men were jailed some months ago when the Palestinian Authority came under international pressure to crush militants.

“The families of six prisoners attacked the prison, took control and managed to free six,” a security source said.

The men belonged to an armed group which is linked to President Yasser Arafat’s Fatah faction, and to the Islamic Jihad group.

Arafat launched a campaign to crack down on activists in December under fierce US and Israeli pressure after a series of suicide attacks in Israel.

An Israeli government spokesman blamed the Palestinian Authority for the jail break. “I expect it’s part of their ‘revolving-door’ policy on jailing militants,” said Raanan Gissin.—Reuters