Inmates in riot at Israeli jail

Israel holds about 6,000 Palestinians behind bars

Dozens of Palestinians have rioted at an Israeli prison, wounding at least two jailers before being dispersed.

Reports said inmates used boiling liquid to attack staff at new prison facility at Gilboa which holds about 800 Palestinian detainees.

One of the injured was the commandant of the jail, Israeli websites reported.

About 6,000 Palestinians are estimated to be currently in Israeli detention, and inmates frequently complain of overcrowding in jails.

The injured commandant had boiling oil thrown at him, according to one report, although other reports say it was boiling water.

He was taken to the prison's health clinic for treatment after being hit in the face, back and neck.

Backup units were called to Gilboa prison and all jails holding Palestinian security prisoners were put on alert, Israel radio reported.

Reports say Gilboa is the most heavily-guarded Israeli prison and houses dozens of Palestinian detainees considered to pose the most danger to Israel - including militants from Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad.

Many of the detainees are held there while they are interrogated by the security services.