Thousands of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike

More than 4,000 Palestinian prisoners announced on Tuesday a one-day hunger strike in support of a number of companions who are now into their third month of such strike. Local radio stations reported that these prisoners, held in 17 Israeli prisons and detention centers, will refuse all meals to put pressure on the Israelis to release three prisoners in particular; Hassan Al-Safadi, Samer Al-Barq, and Ayman Al-Sharwana. This strike comes in reaction to the Israeli Prison Service's maltreatment of said prisoners, especially prisoner Ayman Al-Sharwana, who had abstained from drinking any water for five days last week. Many human rights groups and activists warned of the seriousness of this prisoner's health condition, especially after the Israelis separated him from his companions instead of providing him with medical care. The Palestinian Authority's Prisoners Affairs Minister Issa Qaraqe yesterday urged the United Nation to adopt a resolution recognizing the Palestinian prisoners as prisoners of war and legitimate resistance combatants in view of the Geneva Convention. This call coincided with a warning by Palestinian officials over the deteriorating health conditions of Palestinian prisoners, 27 of which suffering with cancer and in dire need of release in order to receive care, with their very lives on the line.