New Hunger Strike Update from Addameer and Information on all Striking Prisoners

palestinian-hunger-strikeSince our latest update several days ago, there have been a number of developments in Palestinian hunger strikers’ cases. Addameer’s newest report is below, followed by additional updates:

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association issued the following statement on July 9 with the latest updates on striking prisoners:

9 July 2013 – Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association can confirm 12 individual hunger strikes in Israeli prisons.

Ayman Hamdan has been on hunger strike for 73 days in protest of his administrative detention. Initially he was held in isolation in Ofer Prison as punishment for initiating a hunger strike, but has since been moved to Asaf Haroveh Hosptial where his health continues to worsen. Ayman’s brother Ahmad engaged in a one week hunger strike from 24 June – 1 July in solidarity with his brother.

Imad Batran has been on hunger strike for 64 days in protest of the extension of his administrative detention for an additional 6 months. According to his lawyer, Ahlam Haddad, he has lost 26 kilograms and is suffering from several health problems. Despite this, he continues to be shackled to his bed at Assaf Haroveh Hospital at all times. He is currently only drinking water and taking salt and sugar.

Ayman Tabeesh has been on hunger strike for 48 days in protest of his administrative detention as well. He is currently held in Ramleh Prison Hospital. Ayman’s brother Mohammad Tabeesh also started a hunger strike in solidarity with his brother. Mohammad is a former administrative detainee who is now serving an 18 month sentence. Mohammad, who has been on hunger strike for 28 days, is continuously subjected to beatings by the prison guards at Ofer and has been moved from isolation in Megiddo Prison to Jalameh Prison, where he is currently detained.

Adel Hareebat has been on hunger strike for 48 days in protest of the renewal of his administrative detention order, which was confirmed for an addition 4 months on 23 May 2013. As punishment for engaging in a hunger strike, he was moved to isolation in Ofer Prison until his health condition deteriorated to the point that he had to be moved to Ramleh Prison Hospital. The prison hospital doctor told Adel that his hunger strike is putting his life in danger due to his other health conditions, however an appeal submitted by his lawyer against his administrative detention was rejected by the military court.

Husam Matir, who is serving a life sentence, was moved into isolation in Askalan Prison for starting a hunger strike 39 days ago. His main demand is that he be recognized as a prisoner of war.

Five of the prisoners who hold Jordanian citizenship also continue to be on hunger strike for 69 days and are in very dangerous health conditions. Abdallah Barghouthi is currently being held in Afoula Hospital. Mohammad Rimawi, Munir Mar’ee and Alaa Hammad are all held in Sukora Hospital and Hamza Othman is held in Ramleh Prison Hospital.

Addameer can also confirm the hunger strike of Iyad Abu Khdeir started his second hunger strike on 7 June 2013 in protest of his continued detention despite the completion of his 8 year sentence. Iyad’s first hunger strike was for 22 days from 13 May – 3 June 2013.

Awad Sa’eedy also engaged in a hunger strike for 15 days from 20 June to 5 July 2013 in protest of his isolation in Ayshel prison. Awad has been held in isolation since April 2012 as a punishment during the mass hunger strikes in April and May 2012. Awad suspended his strike on the promise that he will be removed from isolation and detained in Hadarim Prison.

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Khaled Hroub, who had been on hunger strike since June 15, ended his hunger strike earlier in the week. Hroub had demanded to be placed with his brother Younis, also imprisoned by the Israeli occupation. Younis Hroub will be released today, June 9, from administrative detention in Negev prison. Younis earlier conducted a 66-day hunger strike demanding his release from administrative detention. He was previously arrested by Israeli occupation forces in 2002 and served six and a half years. He was re-arrested on July 10, 2012 and held in administrative detention.

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Hussam Mattar, who has been on hunger strike for 39 days, was transferred on July 9 from isolation in Ashkelon prion to the Ramle prison clinic. His wife reported that he is suffering from her husband is suffering from severe pain in the head and kidneys, as well as poor vision and heart disease.

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See the following updated chart (data from Palestinian Prisoners Society) on the hunger strikers and the date they launched their strikes:

Palestinian prisoner’s name

Date of Hunger Strike

Ayman Issa Hamdan 04/28/2013
Muneer Mari 05/02/2013
Abdullah Barghouti 05/02/2013
Alaa Hammad 05/02/2013
Mohammad Rimawi 05/02/2013
Hamza Othman Al-Dabbas 05/02/2013
Imad Batran 05/07/2013
Adel Hareebat 05/23/2013
Ayman Al-Tabeesh 05/23/2013
Hossam Mattar 06/01/2013
Mohammed Al-Tabeesh 06/12/2013
Eyad Abu Khudair 06/17/2013