RAMALLAH, April 17, 2017 (WAFA) – Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails Monday began an open hunger strike coinciding with the Palestinian Prisoner’s Day.

Prisoners in Ashkelon, Nafha, Ramon, Hadarim, Gilboa and Beersheba prisons got rid of the food in their rooms and declared the beginning of a mass hunger strike called for by incarcerated Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.

Some of the prisoners’ demands include ending the policy of solitary confinement, ending the policy of administration detention, improving the living conditions of prisoners, improving family visits, right to education and improving medical conditions.

Issa Qaraqe, chairman of the Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs Commission, said that more than 1300 Palestinian prisons have joined in the hunger strike. He said the number is likely to increase in the upcoming days.

He called on the Palestinians and the national organizations to participate in activities in support of the prisoners. He also called on human rights organizations to press Israel to compel to respect international law and expose its violations in detention centers and prisons.

Qaraqe emphasized the importance of this strike that was headed by Barghouti, who has been in prison since 2002 serving five life terms.

“Barghouti is a popular figure not only among Palestinian people and prisoners but also among international rights organizations,” he said.

Qaraqe added that the victory of the hunger strikers in achieving their demands means restoring their strength in the face of the escalating Israeli practices, “bringing prisoners closer to their basic rights and demands and preventing the occupation from harming the dignity of the Palestinian prisoners.”

K.T./M.K.