Palestinian Captive Movement Announces Escalating Measures against Prison Authorities
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Prisoners have announced new measures in the face of abusive Israeli prison conditions.
The Higher Leadership Committee of Hamas held the Israeli authorities completely accountable for the lives of the prisoners on hunger strike amid deteriorating health conditions that poor prison conditions have led them to. The Committee stressed that this is a matter they cannot remain silent about.
The Committee announced, "As of today, a program will be launched in support of prisoners on hunger strike; sections will be closed for two hours, from 10:30 in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon," continuing, "A meal will be returned on Tuesday, and escalating steps will be announced in the coming days."
On its part, the Supreme Leadership Council of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Prisoners announced that "the prisoner movement on Monday will close sections in Israeli prisons as an expression of anger in the face of what is called the "Prison Service" and the Zionist security services, as well as "Israel's" systemic criminal policies against the heroic prisoners on hunger strike," eventually calling for their release."
Seven Palestinian prisoners are still on hunger strike, rejecting administrative detention. The prisoners are Kayed al-Fasfous (110 days), Miqdad al-Qawasmi (103 days), Alaa al-Araj (85 days), Hisham Abu-Hawash (77 days), Shadi Abu-Aker (69 days), Ayad Hraimi (40 days), and Louay al-Ashqar (22 days). Abu-Hawash was re-issued a detention order against him yesterday, and his court session will be held tomorrow.
Amani Sarahena, the Palestinian Prisoners Club spokesperson, asserted that Kayed al-Fasfous and other prisoners are suffering from critical health conditions.
In an interview for Al Mayadeen, Sarahena pointed out, "We had already warned of the occupation's intent to kill one of the hunger-strikers by delaying the achievement of their demands."
Last Thursday, the Israeli Prison Authorities renewed Kayed al-Fasfous' administrative detention period, whose hunger strike period has reached 110 days as of today. Al-Fasfous is under observation in Barzilai Hospital, Askalan.
Previously, the president of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, Kaddoura Fares, pointed out that 600 out of 4,600 prisoners are ill, 50 of whom are in highly critical conditions.
The Club assured that Israeli intelligence continues to withhold response to the demands of the prisoners, as they face deteriorating and risky health conditions.
Palestinian and other Arab activists engage, on a daily basis, in social media campaigns expressing solidarity with Palestinian prisoners facing collective punitive measures. Solidarity movements are made by issuing hashtags that express that solidarity, demanding they be saved and the fulfillment of their demands.