The Waed Association for Palestinian Prisoners reported that the occupation forces isolated the Emergency Committee leaders who announced going on strike Monday, confirming that the hunger-striking prisoner Ammar Mardi, a representative of the Fatah movement, and the hunger-striking prisoner, Salama al-Qatawi, a representative of the Hamas movement, were arbitrarily transferred to an unknown location.

The Waed Association confirmed that the occupation transferred the dean of the prisoners, Muhammad Al-Tus, who began his strike with the captive movement leaders, to an "unknown destination," noting that "the campaign of arbitrary transfers that affected the strike leaders is a desperate step and will not disturb the strike program."

It added that the campaign of arbitrary transfers will not discourage the prepared masses of prisoners from engaging in this battle that was imposed on them.

For its part, the Captive Movement confirmed the launch of a strike until freedom or martyrdom today, adding that it will not back down unless it fully achieves its goals. The movement pointed out that the phase following the transfer of the emergency committee members to an unknown location "is surely not going to be the same as before," meaning that their struggle has entered a new phase.

The Ministry of Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners in Gaza considered that "the transfer and isolation of the Emergency Committee leaders aim to disperse the Captive movement," and that the aim of the leaders' transfer and isolation is to separate them from the rest of the prisoners.

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This comes after the occupation prison service threatened to impose heavy punishment on the prisoners who are on hunger strike. 

One of the prominent leaders in the National Captive movement stated that hunger strikes have become the most likely option for the prisoners to "confront the occupation," calling for strengthening support as they enter the strike.