Palestinian hunger striker held by Israel could die at any moment, lawyer says

By Henriette Chacar

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -A Palestinian prisoner who has been on starvation strike for over 160 days in protest over his detention by Israel might die at any second, his lawyer stated on Wednesday.

Israeli forces arrested Khalil Awawdeh, 40, in December 2021 and have since held him with out cost or trial, a apply generally known as administrative detention.

Israel has supplied few particulars in regards to the accusations dealing with Awawdeh. An Israeli navy spokesperson stated on Wednesday his detention had been confirmed a number of instances by navy courts “and it was decided that the confidential materials in his case signifies that his launch will threaten the safety of the realm.”

In March, Awawdeh launched a starvation strike demanding his freedom. He has subsisted solely on water since, stated his lawyer, Ahlam Haddad.

Egyptian mediators just lately pushed for Awawdeh’s launch underneath a ceasefire settlement to finish three days of preventing in Gaza between Israel and the militant Islamic Jihad group.

An Egyptian safety supply talking on situation of anonymity stated on Wednesday that Egypt introduced an inventory of prisoners, together with Awawdeh, to Israeli officers and Israel promised to look into it, whereas expressing reservations on among the names.

With Israeli forces conducting near-daily operations in opposition to suspected militants within the West Financial institution, Awawdeh’s loss of life might additional inflame a disaster that has escalated for months.

“I really feel that my physique is consuming itself internally,” Awawdeh advised Reuters from his hospital mattress, his eyes widening and his voice fluctuating as he spoke. “God’s help, steadfastness and endurance are what allow me to proceed.”

Awawdeh was just lately transferred from Ramle Jail to the Asaf Harofeh hospital in Israel because of his failing well being.

Final Friday, the Israeli navy quickly suspended the executive detention order in opposition to Awawdeh as a result of his situation was deteriorating. Nonetheless, he isn’t allowed to go away the hospital, a navy spokesperson stated.

Awawdeh has managed to outlive this lengthy with out meals possible due to a two-week break a few months in the past, throughout which he obtained vitamin dietary supplements, stated Naji Abbas, the case supervisor for prisoners at Physicians for Human Rights – Israel.

On the time, Awawdeh, who now weighs 40 kilograms after having misplaced about 45 kilograms, agreed to finish his starvation strike, considering he was about to be launched, stated Abbas.

Awawdeh’s household, which lives close to the occupied West Financial institution metropolis of Hebron, has up to now been refused permission to go to him by Israel however have supported his determination to proceed his starvation strike.

“He was detained with no cost or trial,” his spouse, Dalal Awawdeh, stated. “Simply as he was detained forcefully and brought from us, he’ll demand his freedom whether or not the occupation approves or not.”

(Reporting and writing by Henriette Chacar; Extra reporting by Sinan Abu Mayzer, Yosri al-Jamal and Ahmed Mohamed Hassan; Enhancing by James Mackenzie, Bernadette Baum)