Al Mayadeen Sources Deny Israeli Allegations About PIJ Prisoners
Al Mayadeen sources confirm that the Islamic Jihad has rejected the offer presented by the Israeli occupation Prisons Authority and Shin Bet, pointing out that the movement is considering escalation.
Sources revealed to Al Mayadeen that the Leading Committee of the Prisoners of Islamic Jihad rejected an offer presented by the Israeli occupation Prisons Authority and the Shin Bet.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz had earlier claimed that the Prisons Authority and the prisoners of the Islamic Jihad movement had reached an agreement to end the open hunger strike.
According to the Israeli newspaper, the offer included the Prisons Authority’s approval to release all isolated prisoners, excluding the six prisoners who liberated themselves from Gilboa Prison in early September, in addition to prisoner Mahmoud Abdullah al-Arda who already knew about operation Freedom Tunnel. The authority also pledged to reduce the fines.
The Israeli offer comes as the Islamic Jihad prisoners' hunger strike enters its ninth consecutive day. The hunger strike was declared in protest of the arbitrary and punitive measures taken against them.
Al Mayadeen sources indicated that the prisoners' movement is considering escalation in light of the Prison Authority’s evasion and failure to respond to its demands.
On October 13, Tariq Ezz El-Din, spokesperson for the Islamic Jihad movement in the West Bank, announced that about 150 prisoners from the movement, along with other prisoners, had started an open hunger strike to pressure the Prison Authority to improve their conditions.