Palestinian Hunger Striker’s Health Deteriorating

Local Editor

The health of Palestinian prisoner, Bilal Kayed, on hunger strike for a month in protest at his detention without trial by the "Israeli" regime is deteriorating, a Palestinian official and family members warned Thursday.

Bilal Kayed began his hunger strike last month in protest at his internment under the Zionist administrative detention law, which allows the country to hold prisoners without trial for renewable six-month periods.

Kayed served a 14-and-a-half-year sentence for activities in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and was due to be released on June 15.

However, "Israeli" occupation authorities then placed him under administrative detention, prompting him to begin the hunger strike.

Issa Qaraqe, head of the Palestinian Authority's commission for detainee affairs, said Kayed was transferred to hospital twice in the past 24 hours due to failing kidneys.

The 35-year-old from near Nablus in the occupied West Bank lost about 30 kilograms and is "refusing medical inspections and won't take anything but water," Qaraqe added.

Administrative detention is intended to allow authorities to hold suspects while continuing to gather evidence, with the aim of preventing further attacks in the meantime.

Of more than 7,500 Palestinians currently in "Israeli" jails, around 700 are being held under administrative detention, according to Palestinian rights groups.

Palestinians have regularly gone on hunger strike to protest their detentions.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team