PALESTINIAN PRISONER ENTERS 5TH MONTH OF HUNGER STRIKE

Ramallah, 1 Ramadan 1435/29 June 2014 (MINA) – Palestinian prisoner Ayman Itbeish on Saturday (28/6) entered his fifth month of hunger strike in protest against being held in Israeli jails without charge or trial.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Center for Studies said. “He has low blood pressure, kidney problems, and is unable to stand,” The Center warned that the Itbeish’s health condition was worsening. Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Rafat Hamdunah, the director of the prisoners’ rights group, said that Itbeish had been offered a deal that if he ended his strike, he would be released in January 2015, but that he had rejected the deal.

“It makes us more responsible to save his life and to exert more efforts internationally and  hold Israel responsible for his life,” Hamdunah said.

Itbeish went on strike on February 28 against his administrative detention. As his health deteriorated, he was transferred to a hospital in Israel. Ibteish has been detained by Israeli forces several times and has gone on hunger strikes three times in the past.

He ended last year’s strike in September when Israeli authorities agreed to end his administrative detention and promised to reach a final decision on his case. But Ibteish was rearrested soon after he was released from prison.  

Around 5,700 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli jails, with nearly 300 in administrative detention. Over 800,000 Palestinians have been detained since 1967, with 5,224 currently being held in Israeli prisons, according to the PLO.(T/Nidiya/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)