70 Palestinian prisoners start hunger strike in israel jails

Seventy Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails have started a hunger strike to protest against the regime’s policy of solitary confinement, a prisoners’ group says.

According to a statement by the Palestinian Prisoners Society, the protest action was launched on Tuesday in solidarity with detainees being held in solitary confinement, some of whom had already gone on the strike to protest the policy.

The strikers are calling for an end to the solitary confinement of detainees, as well as the release of ill prisoners.

Their strike is also in solidarity with Nahar al-Saadi, who’s been refusing meals since November 20 to protest being held in solitary confinement.

Saadi’s demands include an end to his confinement, family visits, and ending the solitary confinement of other prisoners.

Earlier, the group said two other prisoners, Fahd Sawalha and Mahmoud Kleibim, also began a hunger strike on Saturday in protest at their solitary confinement.

Reports say over 7,000 Palestinians are being held in Israeli jails, many of them without charge or trial.

The Israeli Prison Service, the agency responsible for overseeing jails, has come under criticism from human rights groups for rampant rights abuses in jails.