ALBAWABA - Some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners suspended a hunger strike, which was planned to start on the first day of holy fasting month of Ramadan.
The hunger strike was organized in response to decisions prisoners described as "arbitrary" by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. But it was called off Wednesday after "satisfactory solutions" were reached with the Israeli government, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
Palestinian prisoners suspend their planned hunger strike #Palestine #prisoners #HungerStrike https://t.co/wCxG1aawS9 pic.twitter.com/MHOGR3Ar99
— ILKHA (@IlkhaAgency) March 23, 2023
The decision following the cessation of "punitive and arbitrary measures against" the prisoners, according to a joint statement by the Commission of Detainees' Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoners Society.
The statement said: "After stopping the punitive and arbitrary measures against the prisoners, it was agreed to suspend the hunger strike."
VICTORY: Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails have declared victory and decided to suspend their decision to go on a mass hunger strike after forcing Israeli jail authorities to meet their demands. pic.twitter.com/bg5gVU5NSx
— PALESTINE ONLINE ?? (@OnlinePalEng) March 22, 2023
The agreement stipulated the regular use of public telephones for male and female prisoners, and ending solitary confinement on some.
Additionally, the agreement stipulated future punitive measures taken against the prisoners must come from the Cabinet as a whole, not Ben-Gvir, who is widely considered anti-Palestinians.
BREAKING: Palestinian prisoners decide to suspend their decision to go on a mass hunger strike after forcing Israeli occupation authorities to stop their repressive measures. This victory is achieved by prisoners' steadfastness and resilience?? pic.twitter.com/cZ3zC1b3de
— Chris Hutchinson (@ChrisHu34451470) March 22, 2023
Since Feb.14, Palestinian prisoners have been protesting against certain procedures and instructions taken by the Israeli prison administration.
As part of steps undertaken to escalate their protests, some 2,000 prisoners agreed to stage an open-ended hunger strike, starting Thursday, the first day of Ramadan.
Tomorrow, the first day of Ramadan, the Palestinian Prisoners Higher Command in Israeli jails will hand over to Israeli Prison Authorities the names of 2000 Palestinian prisoners out of 5000 prisoners, who will begin their open hunger strike "Volcano of Freedom or Martyrdom"
— Local Focus - Security Alerts (@LocalFocus1) March 22, 2023
Ben-Gvir ratified draft laws against prisoners, the most prominent of which was the execution of prisoners and depriving injured ones of treatment.
Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons suspend hunger strike - #israeli #prisons https://t.co/FrY7v8fz7I
— IdeallyaNews (@IdeallyaNews) March 23, 2023
The draft laws also envisage controlling the amount of water prisoners use, reducing the duration of their bathing time, providing them with poor quality bread and increasing police raids and searches, among other restrictive measures.
The number of prisoners in Israeli jails is estimated at 4,800, including 170 children and 29 female prisoners, according to data by the Palestinian prisoners' society.
