Mohammed Mar'i Saudi Gazette RAMALLAH — Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners Thursday held a one-day hunger strike in solidarity with six hunger striking comrades. Issa Qaraqi', Palestinian Minister of Detainees and Ex-Detainees, said that 360 Palestinians in the Israeli prison of Rimon in the Negev Desert “sent back their meals.” Qaraqi' added that the prisoners launched the strike in solidarity with the six prisoners and in particular Ayman Sharawneh and Samer Al-Eisawi who have been fasting since July and August, respectively. The health condition of the two has deteriorated in the past few weeks. The six launched the hunger strike in protest against administrative detention. The prisoners are held in administrative detention indefinitely with no charges or trial. The minister said that the leaders of Islamic Jihad movement in Israeli jails participated in the hunger strike. The movement threatened Israel with a hard and harsh response if member Eisawi dies due to his hunger strike. He added that Palestinian inmates in 23 prisons and detention camps in Israel and in the West Bank will hold a hunger strike next Tuesday in solidarity with their comrades. Qaraqi' held Israel responsible for the life of hunger-striking prisoners. “Some of the hunger strikers reached a high level of danger and they could die anytime as their health deteriorating.” He said that Israel does not respond to the prisoners' demands, adding that the Palestinian Authority is holding contacts with Arab and regional sides to resolve the issue. On Wednesday, a UN official expressed concern about the well-being of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and in particular about the condition of Eisawi. Also on Wednesday, Egypt expressed “concern” for the well-being of the hunger strikers in Israeli prisons and warned that endangering their lives could inflame tensions in Palestinian territories. According to the recent Palestinian statistics, Israel is holding 4,900 prisoners in 23 prisons and detention camps in Israel and in the West Bank of whom 198 children, 8 females and 17 lawmakers from Hamas, Fatah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Israel regularly carries out arrest raids throughout the West Bank, including in areas under full PA's security control.
