Description

by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources reported, on Friday evening, that 15 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli military fire in Al-Esawiyya town, in occupied East Jerusalem, and five residents have been kidnapped after the army invaded the area and conducted provocative acts against the residents.

Local sources reported that hundreds of residents were holding a nonviolent procession in solidarity with Palestinian detainees on hunger strike in Israeli prisons.

The sources added that the soldiers violently assaulted the nonviolent protesters after the army invaded the area, and issue that led to clashes with the soldiers.

The army also demolished and removed that protest tent that was held in solidarity with detainee Samer Al-Esaawy, from Al-Esawiyya, who started his hunger strike more than 86 days ago, and his health condition witnessed a sharp deterioration.

The protest tent was installed near the Arba’een Mosque, in the town; the army confiscated the tent and whatever was in it.

The attack led to clashes with local youths who hurled stones at them while the army fired gas bombs, rubber-coated bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades leading to fifteen injuries. The soldiers went on to kidnap five residents and took them to an unknown destination.

Amani Sarahna, spokesperson of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), stated Thursday that the health condition of Safady is dangerously deteriorating.
She added that Sarahna agreed, on Thursday, to take liquids, but refused medications and vitamins.

Safady was kidnapped by the army more than six months ago, and was placed under solitary confinement without any charges.

He also participated in the previous massive hunger strike conducted by the detainees in July this year, and Israel promised to release him when his six-month administrative detention order ends.

But when the order expired, the Israeli Authorities issued four additional months of Administrative detention instead of releasing him as promised.

He is one of four Palestinian political prisoners who are currently holding open-ended hunger strikes; one of them is identified as Samer Al-Barq, 38; he also holds Jordanian citizenship and is married to a woman from Pakistan.

Al-Barq has been held under administrative detention orders, without charges or trial, since more than 18 months.