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Deal Struck by Hunger-Striking Prisoner but Others Still Suffer

01:48 Jun 21 2012 Ramle prison, Israel

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by Giulio Pusateri - IMEMC & Agencies

After 92 days of hunger strike Mahmoud al-Sarsak resumed eating once Israeli prison authorities agreed to release him on July 10th, however other hunger-striking prisoners continue to be mistreated as their health deteriorates.

Having endured the longest hunger strike in the history of the Palestinian Prisoners Movement, according to the Palestinian News Network, al-Sarsak and the Israel Prison Service signed a deal ending his strike in exchange for the promise of being released after 3 years of imprisonment without charge or trial. As he awaits his freedom, al-Sarsak will receive treatment for his frail condition in a civilian hospital in Tel Aviv.

The health of other prisoners who have also been on hunger strike is declining to dangerous levels, reports Ma’an News Agency. Akram al-Rekhawi has been on hunger strike for 66 days and was hospitalized in a civilian facility on Tuesday before being moved back to the Ramle prison clinic. Jawad Boulus reported to Ma’an that al-Rekhawi had his arms and legs cuffed to the bed while he was being examined. Upon his return al-Rekhawi also told Boulus that while he was in the hospital “Israeli prison guards had raided his cell and confiscated all his belongings.”

Al-Rekhawi, who was arrested in 2004, suffers from various health conditions worsened by his his hunger strike to the point that his life is in danger. An Israeli court recently rejected his request for medical release.

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BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Prisoner rights group Addameer on Thursday said it was outraged by Israel's decision to renew the administrative detention of a former hunger striker.

Hassan Safadi ended a 71-day hunger strike on May 14 after Israel promised not to renew his detention without charge or trial.

Israel's decision to renew Safadi's administrative detention by six months "is a blatant violation of the agreement between the prisoners’ hunger strike committee and Israeli officials," Addameer said.

Safadi went on hunger strike on March 5 in protest against his detention without charge. Thousands more joined the protest which ended on May 14 in a deal between prisoners and Israeli officials.

Addameer expressed concern that the extension of Safadi's sentence may indicate that further breaches of the agreement will follow.

"(T)here is now no guarantee that any of the long-term hunger strikers will be released upon their given dates."

Under the May 14 deal, prisoners representatives secured clear commitments from Israel that five administrative detainees on long-term hunger strike, including Safadi, would be released at the end of their term, Palestinian Prisoner Society head Qadura Fares said at the time.

Israel committed not to renew the administrative detention of over 300 Palestinians held without charge if there was no new information requiring their imprisonment, Fares added.

Israel also agreed to "facilitate" prisoners' demands to end solitary confinement and allow family visits for prisoners from Gaza.

Addameer noted that detainee Dirar Abu Sisi is still in solitary confinement, and another prisoner was moved into isolation last week.

Meanwhile, there has been no change in Israel's administrative detention policy and prisoners from Gaza have still not been allowed family visits.
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