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RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Israeli courts extended the administrative detention of five Palestinians as over 125 prisoners in Israeli jails entered a 53rd day of hunger strike in protest against their indefinite detention without trial Sunday, a statement said.

Fuad al-Khuffash, directer of Ahrar Center for Prisoners Studies and Human Rights, said in a statement that Israeli courts recently extended the administrative detention of Muhammad Abu Mariya, Murad Malaysha, Muhammad Aqili, Qudsi Shihab, and Muhab al-Jundi.

Since the hunger strike began, Israeli courts have extended the detention of over 30 prisoners, the statement said.

Hunger strikers are demanding Israel end its policy of administrative detention, by which prisoners can be held in custody without charge or trial indefinitely.

UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon has called on Israel to either charge or release Palestinian hunger strikers "without delay."