Hamas, PIJ to escalate if Abu Hawash dies - sources

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Senior leaders from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad held talks to discuss the latest developments on the case of hunger-striking prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash, who has been on hunger strike for 140 days, sources told Al Mayadeen.

The sources said Monday an escalation would take place if Hisham Abu Hawash loses his life.

"Once again, our heroic prisoners are imposing themselves on the Zionist jailer, forcing it to reverse the steps it took following the battle of revenge for our free women, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said.

Qassem also praised the prisoners for their struggle against the occupation and breaking their will despite not having any means to do so except for their belief in the righteousness of their cause.

PIJ political bureau member Khaled Al-Batsh asserted that the resistance would treat any harm to Abu Hawash as an assassination. "This is not only the stance of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad; it is also that of all factions, especially Al-Quds Brigades and Al-Qassam Brigades."

The Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Commission announced Monday that the health condition of prisoner Hisham Abu Hawash is deteriorating severely.

Hassan Abd Rabbo, the Commission's Media Spokesperson, told Wafa the life of the prisoner is at risk, and he is inching closer to death with every passing minute.

The Commission held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the life of the prisoner Abu Hawash, calling on the International Committee of the Red Cross and all human rights institutions to help in saving his life and not to let him die in this cruel manner.

Al Mayadeen correspondent visited Abu Hawash in his hospital room, and she said he is in a very critical condition. He has been in an intermittent coma since Saturday, and he could be martyred at any second.

Our correspondent also reported that the Israeli occupation forces assaulted everyone who had been gathered in front of Assaf Harofeh hospital in solidarity with the hunger-striking prisoner.

40-year-old Hisham Abu Hawash, from Dura, Al-Khalil, has been on hunger strike for 140 days in protest of his administrative detention as warnings over the deterioration of his health grow.

Abu Hawash has been in prison since October 2020, and the Israeli occupation forces have issued three administrative detention orders against him since his arrest, one of which was issued after the 70th day of his hunger strike.

He is a father to five children, and his total time in prison amounts to eight years, 52 months of which were spent in administrative detention.