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Photo: Akram Rekhawi enters his 100th day of hunger strike. (Maan)


BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – As Muslims all over the world start fasting for the first day of Ramadan, Palestinian prisoner in Israel’s custody Akram Rekhawi enters his 100th day on hunger strike.

Fasting hours in Muslim countries range from nine to 20 hours a day, but Rekhawi, though he is diabetic, has so far been fasting for about 2,400 hours. He has been held in a clinic in Ramle prison since he was detained by Israeli forces in June 2004. He has served eight years of a nine-year sentence.

Rekhawi was detained in June 2004 at an Israeli military checkpoint on the main road as he headed from Gaza City to his home in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinian minister of prisoners’ affairs Issa Qaraqe told Ma’an Friday that Rekhawi is in real danger as he has lost more than 33 kilograms since he started his hunger strike. He currently weighs only 40 kilograms, according to Qaraqe.

Qaraqe highlighted that Rekhawi only takes some vitamins, salts and water injected through the vein.
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