MIDDLE EAST: An Egyptian deal to end hunger strikes in Israeli prisons fails, as Palestinians accuse Israel of continuing the policy of "administrative detention"

Record ID: 340815

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: An Egyptian deal to end hunger strikes in Israeli prisons fails, as Palestinians accuse Israel of continuing the policy of "administrative detention"
  • Date: 30th May 2012
  • Summary: RAFAH, GAZA (MAY 27, 2012) (REUTERS) CHILDREN PLAYING AT RAFAH CAMP
  • Embargoed: 14th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Gaza, Israel
  • City:
  • Country: Gaza Israel
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA25INDD2RRJQ8QD98QHCYWAFLN
  • Story Text: An Egyptian-brokered deal that ended a mass hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails has failed to meet Palestinian expectations that Israel would change its policy of detention without trial.
    In the two weeks since some 1,600 inmates agreed to end their hunger strike, more than 25 prisoners have either been rearrested after their release or had their six-month "administrative detention" terms renewed, Palestinian officials told Reuters Television.
    Two prisoners refused to accept the Egyptian deal, and remain on hunger strike. One of them, Mahmoud Sarsak, a football player from Gaza detained by Israel as an "unlawful combatant", has not eaten for 72 days.
    Sarsak, a member of Fatah, affiliated to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has been refusing to eat since March . He was arrested on his way from Gaza to the occupied West Bank by Israeli forces in July 2009.
    "They arrested him on his way to the West bank; He went to Erez crossing to travel to the West bank to be part of the national football team. They (Israelis) told him you have no problem and you have permit. He went to the West bank with two of colleagues," Mother of Mahmoud Sarsak, Um Mahmoud, said.
    "He is arrested since then, when ever he finishes the six months in jail they give him another six months. They have nothing against him. when ever he finishes the six months in jail they give him another six months. He is on hunger strike now for around 74 days," she said.
    The U.S founded organisation, Physicians for Human Rights say the health Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, has significantly worsened.
    "The main problem now is that even they are not allowing doctors to check the prisoners on hunger strike - Mahmoud Sarsak and Akram Rikhawi. Until now they are not allowing doctors to visit the prisoners who were on hunger strike Bilal Diab, Thaer Halahleh, and Hasan Safadi. There health is not good and they are still in danger because of their continuous long hunger strike in-between 72-77 days," Researcher at Prisoners and Detainees Department at Physicians for Human Rights, Amani Daeef told Reuters Television.
    Israeli prison officials reported in written statement that "The prisoners are still on strike and are receiving medical treatment. They will receive treatment as needed".
    Akram Rikhawi from Rafah, is on his 45 hunger strike. The member of Islamic Jihad has been in Ramleh prison medical centre since his arrest in 2004. He suffers from medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and osteoporosis, according to Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association reports. Due to his pre-existing conditions, Rikhawi's hunger strike makes him especially vulnerable.
    "The prisoner is sentenced for 9 years, he finished 8 years in (Israeli) jail. He is now on hunger strike for around 43 days. The prisoner is sick, asthma, pressure, diabetic, he does not see well, problems with bones. Now he is sitting in a wheelchair," Wife of Prisoner Akram Rikhawi, Um Ashraf Rikhawi, explained.
    Most of the 1,600 hunger striking prisoners fasted for a month. However, several have continued to refuse food for up to 77 days - raising fears in Israel of a bloody Palestinian backlash if any should die. Israel holds some 4,800 Palestinians in its jails.
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