Screen shot of Riots outside Ofer Prison February 15, 2013. Photo: Channel 2

A rally gave way to riots on Friday as hundreds of Palestinian Arabs clashed with Israeli security forces outside Israel’s Ofer prison.

The Israeli military said about 200 Palestinian Arabs threw rocks at soldiers who responded with tear gas. Two Israeli solders were reportedly hurt by the rocks.

The Arabs were calling for the release of Samer Issawi, who has been on an on-again, off-again hunger strike for several months as he serves time for terror activities.

The Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs, Issa Qaraqe, said Issawi began his fast in August and has been observing it intermittently.

“If, God forbid, any prisoner dies of hunger strike inside the prison, the situation on the ground will deteriorate,” Qaraqe said. “People won’t stand for any prisoner to die of a hunger strike.

Clashes also erupted between demonstrators and Israeli forces at a protest in support of prisoners at Jalama checkpoint, in Jenin in the northern West Bank, Ma’an News Agency reported.

Watch a video of the riots below: