Palestinian Prisoner Al-Akhras’s Hunger Strike Reaches 100 Days

Palestinian detainee, Maher al-Akhras, continued his hunger strike for the 100th consecutive day on Tuesday, November 3, to protest his detention without trial by Israeli authorities, who have accused him of involvement in a terror group.

A solidarity demonstration with the prisoner was held on Tuesday by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel and Joint List MKs outside of Kaplan Hospital to call for his release. Communist MK from the Joint List (Hadash) Ofer Cassif even briefly joined al-Akhras’s hunger strike when the detainee was denied family visitation rights two weeks ago.

Hadash MK Yousef Jabareen (Joint List) speaks at the solidarity demonstration outside the Medical Center in Rehovot where the Palestinian prisoner Maher al-Akhras is being detained, Tuesday, November 3. The signs behind which the demonstrators are standing display the name of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel.

Hadash MK Yousef Jabareen (Joint List) speaks at the solidarity demonstration outside the Medical Center in Rehovot where the Palestinian prisoner Maher al-Akhras is being detained, Tuesday, November 3. The signs behind which the demonstrators are standing display the name of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab citizens of Israel. (Photo: Zo Haderech)

For over a month, his attorney and Israeli human rights organizations involved in his case have been warning that al-Akhras is in serious medical danger should his hunger strike continue. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission said in a statement on Sunday that al-Akhras’s health has severely deteriorated over the past few days, and he has begun to lose his sight and hearing due to the damage caused by his self-imposed starvation. Physicians for Human Rights warned that even if he ended his fast, the damage to Akhras’s vital organs could be permanent. The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) urged Israeli authorities “to find a solution that will avoid any loss of life.” Head of the health department of the ICRC in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Yves Giebens, said that the body had been closely monitoring the situation. “From a medical perspective, he is entering a critical phase,” Giebens said.

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