RAMALLAH, February 13, 2016 (WAFA) - Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah Saturday urged U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to promptly intervene and secure the release of hunger-striking detainee, journalist Mohammed al-Qiq, whose health condition has reached a life-threatening stage.

Hamdallah urged US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, to consider a rapid intervention in order to oblige Israel to release al-Qiq, whose health status has reached a very critical stage following 81 consecutive days of hunger strike in protest of his administrative detention, without charge or trial..

Hamdallah made his remarks during a meeting with Power at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ramallah. Power was accompanied by an official delegation, including US Consul-General in Jerusalem Donald Blome.

Hamdallah briefed Power on Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, specifically the killing of Palestinians, ongoing settlement construction and house demolitions, and asked her to convey to the US Administration a message underscoring the need to provide the Palestinian people with international protection and to support an international peace conference that would bring the occupation to an end and secure the establishment of a fully sovereign Palestinian state.

“Israel’s intransigence has torpedoed the peace process as a whole. Through its practices, Israel seeks to undermine the two-state solution,” Hamdallah stated.

He affirmed his government’s commitment to the two-state solution and non-violent popular resistance to Israeli occupation.

He also briefed Power on the almost-nine-year Israeli blockade of Gaza, Israel’s ongoing control over West Bank Area C; denying Palestinians access to their natural resources and stepping up the policy of house demolitions and forceful displacement of Palestinians, especially in East Jerusalem and Hebron.

Upon her arrival to Israel for “a series of high-level diplomatic talks,” Power reportedly reiterated her country’s commitment to advancing a two-state solution as well as a peaceful resolution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“[I] will meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders… to discuss US commitment to two states side by side in security and peace” Power tweeted upon her arrival.

Separately, Hamdallah met and briefed US Senator Bob Casey on the latest political and economic developments as well as on Israeli violations against Palestinians.

“The status quo of settlement expansion, land grab and Israeli forces and settlers’ daily violations against the Palestinian people is unsustainable. The international community has to adopt the French ideas to convene an international peace conference and set a timetable for ending the occupation and establishing the independent state of Palestinian,” he stated.