Palestinian hunger striker Kayed Abu Rish moved to Afula hospital in worsening health

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Kayed Abu Rish, hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner held under administrative detention without charge or trial, has been moved from isolation in Megiddo prison to HaEmek hospital in Afula, following the deterioration of his health condition.

Abu Rish, 46, is a Palestinian refugee from al-Ein refugee camp in Nablus. Arrested by Israeli occupation forces on 13 January 2015, he conducted a 36-day hunger strike in August-September of last year, which concluded with a promise not to renew his administrative detention. However, in January of this year, Abu Rish was ordered once again to administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial for six months, the order confirmed by Israeli military courts on Sunday, 31 January.

Amina Tawil of the Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies reported that Abu Rish had begun his strike on 14 January 2015, and despite some conflicting reports, has now been on hunger strike fro 20 days. He is suffering from headaches, weakness, and dizziness. It should be noted that Abu Rish, who has spent approximately 16 years total in Israeli jails, has long-lasting injuries from being shot by occupation forces in the back and foot during the first Intifada.

Abu Rish joins Mohammed al-Qeeq, also held under administrative detention without charge or trial, on hunger strike for 71 days and held in Afula hospital. Al-Qeeq, a Palestinian journalist who began his strike on 25 November 2015, is currently in critical condition in the hospital.