Issawi to be Released March 6, Pending Military Ruling

Local Editor

"Israel's" magistrate court in Occupied al-Quds has ruled to release Palestinian hunger striker Samer Issawi on 6 March 2013, after having served 8 months in prison since his re-arrest last year.

But Issawi's case will be transferred to a military court which may rule to extend his imprisonment to his complete sentence of 20 years.
Activists have quoted Issawi's sister as saying he is continuing his hunger strike in spite of the court ruling. Prisoner rights group Addameer has corroborated the statement.

Issawi was first arrested ten years ago on charges of arms possession, and was released in a Hamas-"Israel" prisoner exchange deal in October 2011.
On 7 July 2012, the Zionist entity rearrested him, in direct violation of the deal's terms, and was told he would he would have to be imprisoned for 20 years, completing his original sentence. He was charged with violating the conditions of his release.
Issawi has been on hunger strike for 214 days and is said to be in "critical condition". Three other Palestinian prisoners are currently refusing food, including Ayman Sharawneh, Jaafar Ezzedine, and Tarek Qaadan.

Earlier Thursday, over 60 protesters were wounded by "Israeli" fire as they rallied outside "Israel's" notorious Ofer prison for the hunger strikers' release.
Palestinian Prisoners minister Issa Qaraqe and Fatah central committee member Mahmoud al-Aloul joined the rally, near Ofer prison in the central West Bank.
"It is too early for congratulations. We will only know for sure whether Issawi will actually be released on 6 March," coordinator of the Free Samer Issawi campaign Omar Daraghmeh stated.

Also Thursday, the Ahmed Abu Rish Brigades threatened to fire rockets at the Zionist entity if any jailed hunger striker is harmed.
"We will continue to work with rockets and we will not stand by idly. Military operations will be implemented to achieve the rights of prisoners and to free them," brigades member Abu Ali al-Qawkabi said in a statement.
Al-Qawkabi called on Palestinian leaders in Ramallah to reject any negotiations with "Israel" and urged the Gaza government to refuse a truce until the detainees' demands are met.
Earlier, the Islamic Jihad Movement warned that a truce with "Israel" could unravel if any hunger striker dies.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org