Palestinian Hunger Striking Prisoner’s Health Deteriorating

TEHRAN (IQNA) – A Palestinian detainee in Israeli jails who has been on hunger strike for 53 days today demanding an end to his illegal administrative detention is facing serious deterioration in his health, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission.

It said the administrative detainee, Ghadanfar Abu Utwan, has entered into a coma at a hospital in occupied territories and that his health is in constant deterioration.

Abu Utwan’s family also said their son has lost ability to talk, Wafa news agency reported.

Abu Utwan has rejected a ruling by the Israeli high court two days ago to suspend his administrative detention in return for ending his hunger strike, demanding a clear ruling ending his detention rather than just suspending it.

The Israeli military prosecutor proposed to the court suspending the administrative detention following medical reports indicating serious deterioration in Abu Utwan’s health.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are held under administrative detention, in which Israel keeps the detainees for up to six months, a period which can be extended an infinite number of times. Women and minors are among these detainees.

Palestinian detainees have continuously resorted to open-ended hunger strikes in an attempt to express their outrage at the detention. Palestinians hold Israeli authorities fully responsible for any deterioration of the circumstances in jails.

More than 7,000 Palestinians are reportedly held in Israeli jails.