Over a thousand Palestinian prisoners held by Israel started a hunger strike on April 17. The prisoners are demanding an end to solitary confinement and strip searches, as well as easier access to family visitors. They are also taking aim at “administrative detention,” where Israeli authorities detain Palestinians for an indefinite amount of time without informing them of the reasons.
The hunger strike was prompted by the release of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who was released by Israel after refusing meals for 66 days. Authorities said 2,300 prisoners rejected their daily meal on Tuesday as part of Prisoners’ Day, which is a Palestinian day of solidarity with the nearly 5,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. According to Palestinian officials, 1,600 prisoners are on formal hunger strike.
Massive rallies in the West Bank and Gaza were held in observance of Prisoners’ Day.
The state of Israel holds Palestinian prisoners in a fruitless attempt to repress their struggle for liberation.
