Hamas prisoners to go on hunger strike

News_Editor · June 26, 2011

Hamas prisoners to go on hunger strike

2011-06-27 04:12:04 GMT+7 (ICT)

GAZA (BNO NEWS) --Hamas prisoners held in Israeli jails announced that they will go on a one-day hunger strike on Monday, in protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to deprive them of certain privileges, the Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.

Riyad al-Ashqar, spokesman for the Hamas-run Ministry for Prisoners Affairs, threatened to take further steps after the hunger strike if the prison authorities don't stop their new measures. He said that Monday's hunger strike was being held to demand an end to the solitary confinement of Yehya al-Sinwar, a top Hamas leader who is allegedly in poor health.

According to al-Ashqar, prison authorities have stepped up their "fierce onslaught" against prisoner leaders in recent days, especially those belonging to Hamas. He said several prisoners have been moved to other prisons, separating them from their friends.

The ministry called on the Palestinian groups holding IDF soldier Gilad Schalit to stick to their demands and not to make any compromises for a prisoner swap with Israel. The Gaza-based Center for Prisoners and Human Rights also called on those holding Schalit to increase their demands, arguing that Israel would eventually succumb and reach a prisoner exchange deal.

Meanwhile, several human rights organizations on Sunday called on Hamas to end the inhumane and illegal treatment of Schalit. "Hamas authorities must immediately end the cruel and inhuman treatment of Gilad Schalit, enable him to communicate with his family and grant him access to the International Committee of the Red Cross," the groups said in a statement.

The statement was signed by Amnesty, B'Tselem, Bimkom, Gisha, Human Rights Watch, Public Committee Against Torture, Physicians for Human Rights, Palestinian Center for Human Rights [Gaza], The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Yesh Din and the International Federation for Human Rights.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday night that the country will revoke benefits and privileges from Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli prisons. Netanyahu was responding to Hamas' refusal to let the International Red Cross visit Schalit.

On June 25, 2006, Shalit, a Staff Sergeant with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), was abducted by Hamas militants and has been held in captivity since. His family has been trying to have contact with him without avail.

kuffki · June 27, 2011

At least they had privileges, same can not be said about Israeli prisoners in Palestinian captivity

I am all for them going on 1 week strike, why only 1 day?!

Ulysses G. · June 27, 2011

Meanwhile, several human rights organizations on Sunday called on Hamas to end the inhumane and illegal treatment of Schalit. "Hamas authorities must immediately end the cruel and inhuman treatment of Gilad Schalit, enable him to communicate with his family and grant him access to the International Committee of the Red Cross," the groups said in a statement.

Hamas has some nerve complaining about how their murderers are treated in jail.

Steely Dan · June 27, 2011

This shows some of the terrible conditions Hamas prisoners have to endure in Israeli jails. It kind of explains to me why they are so willing to commit terrorist acts to get locked up there.