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The Israeli prison service admitted today that it had to hospitalise 40 Palestinian inmates who have refused food for over a month in protest at their imprisonment without trial.
Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman said their condition was “reasonable,” but Palestinian officials said that in many cases their lives were in danger.
All the strikers are so-called “administrative” — untried — detainees and have refused food for nearly five weeks.
Ms Weizman said other inmates had joined the strike since it started and there were now 240 refusing food.
Palestinian Prisoner Minister Issa Qaraqe said some of the strikers were in “very grave” condition.
“Most are vomiting blood and fainting. They’re in terrible pain,” he said.
“We are afraid some will die if Israel keeps using the same measures against them.
“It’s clear that the prison authorities are trying to break the strike in any way possible, even if prisoners die.”
Via Morning Star