RAMALLAH, April 30, 2012 (WAFA) – Representatives of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails since April 17 and headed by Marwan Barghouti, Fatah’s top prisoner, said the Israeli Prison Authority told them on Monday that a special committee set up to study demands of the prisoners will give its answer in 10 days, said a statement by the Ministry of Prisoners.

It said the prisoners’ representatives met on Monday with the head of the prison authority, Aharon Franco, who told them that the committee has concluded its work and that the final answer to the prisoners' demands will be given in 10 days.

The statement said the prisoners threatened to escalate the strike if the demands, which include ending solitary confinement and strip searches and allowing visits for families of Gaza prisoners, among others, are not met within 10 days.

An escalation means that thousands of Fatah prisoners will join the strike that currently includes around 2000 of more than 4500 prisoners.

M.S.