Sick Palestinian prisoners join hunger strike

As Palestinian prisoners began the sixteenth day of their hunger strike, sick prisoners held at the Israeli Ramla prison announced their participation in the Freedom and Dignity Strike, the Palestinian Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs reported.

The prisoners are now refusing meals and medication, according to the committee.

Prisoners in the Ramla prison suffer a number of severe medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, severe injuries and wounds and severe physical disabilities, caused by Israeli forces’ heavy handed approach while arresting them.

Read: Sit-in at European Parliament in support Of Palestinian hunger strikers

Some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners have been on hunger strike since 17 April, which marks Palestinian Prisoners’ Day. Their primary demands include more frequent and lengthy family visits, better prison conditions such as improved medical care, and an end to solitary confinement and administrative detention – detention without charge or trial.

Many international human rights and advocacy groups have mobilised in solidarity with the prisoner movement.

Israel currently holds 6,500 Palestinians in 22 prisons. In addition to another 500 Palestinians who have been held in administrative detention.