Pakistan Today

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel launch hunger strike

Masked militants from the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, a military wing of Hamas, stand guard near a mockup of a prison cell during a rally marking Palestinian prisoners Day, in Gaza City, Monday, April 17, 2017. Qadoura Fares, an advocate for prisoners' rights, said Monday, that more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners have launched an open-ended hunger strike to demand better conditions in Israeli prisons, including more contact with relatives, and an end to Israel's practice of detentions without trial. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

RAMALLAH: An activist says more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners have launched an open-ended hunger strike to demand better conditions in Israeli prisons, including more contact with relatives, and an end to Israel’s practice of detentions without trial.

The protest began Monday and was led by Marwan Barghouti, a prominent figure in President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement. Opinion polls suggest Barghouti, who is serving multiple life terms for his role in a violent Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, is the top contender to succeed Abbas.

Qadoura Fares, an advocate for prisoners’ rights, says 6,500 Palestinians are currently held by Israel. Palestinians marked Monday as Prisoners’ Day.

Fares says hundreds of prisoners launched a 28-day strike in 2012. In 2014, dozens of detainees held without trial went on hunger strike for two months.

 

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