Female political prisoner enters 33rd day of hunger strike

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On Monday 19th March, Hana Shalabi entered the 33rd day of her hunger strike. The political prisoner was one of several dozens of women released in the prisoner-exchange deal back in late 2011, but was subsequently re-arrested, as many other Palestinians have been, 4 months later. Her detention-without- charge, together with taking inspiration from Palestinian political prisoner Khader Adnan, lead to Shalabi going on hunger strike in protest against her arbitrary administrative detention.

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Her lawyer has been unable to visit Shalabi citing her inability to move and onset of weakness brought on by the hunger strike, which signals the severity of her state of health.  According to a press release by the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-detainees, Shireen Iraqi, the representative from the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society, stated “”A doctor from the prison’s administration examined Shalabi. He found that she cannot stand up on her feet, and is suffering severe pain in the head and heart,” said Iraqi. “Shalabi is also suffering from low blood pressure and low rate of blood sugar. Shalabi has lost 14 kilograms in body weight.”

A protest was organised by Palestinians in Gaza in support, erecting a ‘sit-in’ tent in front of the Red Cross in Gaza.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad