Six Palestinian prisoners have broken out of a high-security jail in northern Israel by digging a tunnel under a toilet.

The six, of which at least four were serving life sentences for terrorism offences according to Israeli media reports, appear to have escaped in the early hours of Monday morning.

Israeli prison officials said the escapees had dug a tunnel near the toilet in their cell which connected to a series of passageways under Gilboa prison.

Gilboa is known as "the safe" in Israel, and is supposed to be one of the most secure prisons in the country.

The Israeli military and police have launched a huge manhunt for the escapees, with drones and helicopters deployed along with the Shin Bet internal security service.

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