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RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Israel's High Court on Wednesday rejected an appeal to release hunger striking Palestinian prisoner Tariq Qaadan, who is being held without charge or trial.

Qaadan, from Jenin, was sentenced to administrative detention by an Israeli military court and has been on hunger strike for 50 days.

He told the court he will continue his strike until he is released: "I dedicate this hunger strike to my sick child, and to my freedom. I have been detained arbitrarily several months after I was released, so I will not end hunger strike unless I secure my freedom."

Qaadan and fellow hunger strikers Jafar Azzidine and Yousef Yassin were all detained on Nov. 22 and sentenced to administrative detention.

They are only drinking water and have refused medical treatment or tests since Dec. 21, the prisoner rights group Addameer said Monday.

The Israeli prison service is denying them family visits and has confiscated most of their belongings, according to Addameer.