Record breaking human chain stands in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners

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The Islamic Resistance Movement has organised a record breaking human chain in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The demonstration in Gaza lasted for two hours. The Israeli authorities apply punitive policies against Palestinians in prison, depriving them of their basic humanitarian rights.

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The chain consisted of thousands of young people attending Hamas summer camps standing on Salah Al-Din Street, which connects the five provinces of the Gaza Strip, from Beit Hanoun in the north to Rafah in the south. The demonstration was put together under the slogan “We will live with dignity”, the same as that chosen by Palestinian hunger strikers protesting against the conditions under which they are held by Israel. An estimate 50,000 people took part, carrying banners and photographs of prisoners; some participants also used handcuffs to express their solidarity.

The media spokesman for the “We will live with dignity” Hamas summer camps, Nasha’t Abu Eimera, said, “This is the first time that such a lengthy solidarity chain has been organised in the Gaza Strip.” The prisoners, he added, have sacrificed themselves in order that all Palestinians may live with dignity.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad