Schools, banks and businesses across the West Bank were closed on Thursday as Palestinians observed a general strike in solidarity with more than 1,000 prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Public transportation came to a halt, and public and private institutions, including universities, were shut for the day.

Hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners declared an indefinite hunger strike last week to protest grievances including medical negligence, administrative detention and limited family visits.

Groups working to support the prisoners in their hunger strike also declared Friday to be a "day of rage," in which Palestinians are called on to confront Israeli soldiers at various contact points.

The strike was called by imprisoned Fatah party leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life terms for his involvement in the killing of Israelis earlier this century.