Committee: Possible negotiations to commence between IPS and hunger strikers leader..

Hunger-striking prisoners have insisted that any negotiations should be led by Marwan Barghouth (center with his fingers in a V-shape).

Rmallah, 16 Sha’ban 1438/13 May 2017 (MINA) – Head of the Prisoners’ Affairs Committee Issa Qaraqe said Friday negotiations could take place between the Israeli authorities and leaders of the mass indefinite hunger strike during the coming hours of Friday, the 26th day of the strike.

Qaraqe told WAFA the Israeli Prison Serive (IPS) suggested to meet with leaders of the mass indefinite “Freedom and Dignity” hunger strike to discuss the hunger striking prisoners’ demands.

“Apparently, the IPS are attempting to start negotiations with leader of the hunger strike without involving Marwan Barghouthi.

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However, hunger-striking prisoners have insisted that any negotiations should be led by Barghouthi,” he added.

It is still unclear whether IPS would seriously engage in their negotiations with hunger strikers, but mass movement, international pressure, the critical health conditions of hunger strikers on the 26th day of strike and the fact that many of them were transferred to hospitals have certainly pushed IPS to take this step,” he added.

He reiterated that prisoners in Israeli jails have gone on this hunger strike, demanding that Israel respects their basic rights and held the Israeli government fully responsible for the consequences of this crisis.

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He also referred to the severe health deterioration of hunger strikers, explaining that many have started to vomit blood and suffered weight loss, waves of dizziness and other severe health problems.

Despite Qaraqe’s statement, the Media Committee of the Freedom and Dignity Strike stressed on its Facebbok page that IPS has not conducted any official negotiations with hunger strikers since the mass hunger strike was launched on April 17.

“IPS officers have spread messages among hunger-striking prisoners that they would discuss hunger strikers’ demands. However, hunger strikers have affirmed their categorical rejection of any negotiations that exclude their leaders,” the committee announced. (T/RS5/RS1)

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Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)