10 Palestinian prisoners going strong with their hunger strike

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
26 Aug 2023 14:03

Ten Palestinian prisoners are persisting with their hunger strikes in protest of the administrative detention policies and mistreatment by Israeli prison authorities.

Police officers and prison guards inspect the scene of a prison escape outside the Gilboa prison in northern occupied Palestine on September 6, 2021 (AP)

In an ongoing display of resistance, ten Palestinian prisoners have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike, with eight of them rejecting their administrative detention and protesting against the torment inflicted upon them by the Israeli prison authorities.

The hunger strikers include Sultan Khalouf and Kayed al-Fasfous, who have abstained from food for the past 24 days. Additionally, Osama Dakrouk has been on a hunger strike for 20 days. Others joining the protest include Mohammad Taysir Zakarna, Anas Ahmad Kamil, Abdulrahman Iyad Baraqah, Zahdi Talal Obaidou, who have been fasting for 17 days, and Seif Al-Din Dhiab al-Amareen, who has been fasting for seven days. All the aforementioned prisoners have been on strike protesting their administrative detention.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, Hatem Al-Qawasmi, aged 42, from Al-Khalil, has been on hunger strike for 14 consecutive days, demanding his transfer to the prison where his brother, Hazem al-Qawasmi, is held in "Ramon" prison. Hatem has been incarcerated since 2003, serving a life sentence, while his brother Hazem has been imprisoned since 2002, with a 25-year sentence.

On his part, Maher al-Akhras, 52, from Jenin, has continued his hunger strike since the moment of his arrest last Tuesday.

Who is Maher Al-Akhras, the #Palestinian farmer who has been defying "Israel"? pic.twitter.com/OLtupz8DN5
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 25, 2023

Recently, Israeli occupation forces, heavily armed with military equipment, stormed the town of Silet al-Dhahr in the southern part of Jenin, conducting a series of raids and arrests. The operation targeted al-Akhras and several other leaders of the Resistance in the occupied West Bank.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in occupied Palestine reported that "the recent arrests were distinct due to their targeting of leadership figures within the Resistance factions."

The number of detainees from last night until dawn today has reached 20 Palestinian prisoners in the occupied West Bank, among them leaders and former captives of the PIJ and Hamas.

The Waed Association for Prisoners highlighted that the arrests targeted university students, former detainees, wounded individuals, farmers, and workers.

The Association deemed these arrests as an attempt of retribution, asserting that the overwhelming majority of those taken into custody are subjected to administrative detention.

The prisoners' hunger strike coincides with the ongoing actions of administrative detainees in "Ofer" prison and various other detention centers. Approximately 60 detainees persist in boycotting Israeli military courts as part of their resistance.