Palestine prisoner ends his 141-day hunger strike as Israel agrees on his release

His family warned that he was facing death as a result of his protest against Israel's instance on holding him without charge or trial for over a year

After 141 days on hunger strike inside Israeli jails, Palestinian prisoner, Hisham Abu Hawash, reached a deal with Israeli occupation authorities that guarantees his release on 26 February.

The Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission said in a statement that Abu Hawash ended his hunger strike after reaching a deal that would end his administrative detention on 26 February.

His lawyer, Khaled Mahajneh, confirmed the reports about the deal on Tuesday evening, considering this a victory for Abu Hawash against the Israeli occupation.

Abu Hawash, 40, from the town of Dura, south of Hebron, was detained on 27 October, 2020, and was immediately put under administrative detention for six months.

His detention order was renewed more than once, Wafa news agency said, noting that he then decided to go on hunger strike in protest against his detention without trial.

READ: Israel court refuses to release Palestinian prisoner after 124-day hunger strike

The hunger striker is married and a father of five children. His health has reached a critical stage due to his life-threatening action.

A statement issued by the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said: “The battle of Abu Hawash has brought the issue of the prisoners, specifically the issue of administrative detention, back to the forefront, despite all the challenges.”

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held without trial or charge have launched, four days ago, a boycott of Israel’s military courts in protest of their administrative detention.

The Times of Israel reported that Abu Hawash’s marathon hunger strike drew intense interest among Palestinians as well as international pressure on Israel.

Palestine TV reported that Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, put pressure on Israel to reach a deal with Abu Hawash.

However, Israel Public Broadcaster, Kan, reported that threats from Gaza pushed Israeli Public Prosecution to agree on Abu Hawash’s release on 26 of February.

All Palestinian factions hailed the deal that ended Abu Hawash’s hunger strike as a “victory of a freedom fighter.”

“The heroic prisoner, Hisham Abu Hawash, proves once again the Palestinian’s ability to withstand, defy and wrest victories from the Zionist occupier,” Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qasim, said.

Palestinians in Gaza stand in solidarity with hunger striker Hisham Abu Hawash on 5 January 2022 [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

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