Palestinian journalist on hunger strike could die at any time: Lawyer

A lawyer for a Palestinian journalist who is on hunger strike in protest at his administrative detention by Israel has warned that the jailed reporter “could die at any time” as his health is deteriorating.

Attorney Jawad Boulos further said Mohammed al-Qiq is struggling to speak and open his eyes while shackled to his hospital bed.

The 33-year-old Palestinian journalist has been refusing to eat for more than two months now in protest at his imprisonment without charge or trial.

Al-Qiq, who worked for the Saudi channel Al-Majd, was arrested on November 21, 2015.

Palestinian officials echoed Boulos’ remarks, saying al-Qiq is now in a life-threatening condition.

However, a spokeswoman for the Emek Medical Center in the Israeli city of Afula, where al-Qiq is being held, claimed that his condition has not deteriorated significantly in recent days.

Israel claims al-Qiq has been involved in “terrorism activities” linked to Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

On Monday, Hamas warned Israel that there will be a harsh response if Qiq dies.

Hamas Prisoners’ Authority said Qiq’s life is a redline that if crossed, Israel will face measures it could never imagine.

Administrative detention is a sort of imprisonment without trial or charge that allows Israel to incarcerate Palestinians for up to six months. The detention order can be renewed for indefinite periods of time.

More than 7,000 Palestinians are reportedly incarcerated in 17 Israeli prisons and detention centers.