Four terrorists who escaped a Palestinian Authority prison in Shechem last week returned to jail on Thursday after PA authorities promised that conditions in the prison would improve.  The four, members of the Al Aksa Martyrs’ Brigades, escaped along with nine of their fellow terrorists.  The other nine have not yet returned.

The 13 terrorists had entered prison voluntarily as part of an agreement with the PA according to which they would serve three months in prison, and in exchange would have their names removed from Israel’s “wanted” list.  They ran away following an argument with prison guards over their treatment.  The terrorists said the PA had not found them employment, and in addition expressed doubt over the PA’s ability to win them the promised Israeli pardon.

Earlier in the week the escaped terrorists encountered PA forces in Shechem’s marketplace and a gunfight broke out.  Five PA officers, one terrorist, and two passersby were wounded in the battle.