Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners join hunger strike
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RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories (AFP) - Some 800 Palestinians serving time in Israeli jails were on Tuesday refusing food in solidarity with four fellow inmates who have been on long-term hunger strike, officials said.
According to the Ramallah-based Prisoners' Club, 800 prisoners in three prisons were taking part in the one-day strike, among them members of Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
Sivan Weizman, a spokeswoman for the Israel Prisons Service confirmed hundreds of prisoners had refused their breakfast but said it was 500 prisoners in two facilities.
"Five hundred Palestinians in the Ramon and Eshel prisons refused to eat breakfast this morning and have said they will refuse to eat lunch and dinner," she said.
