RAMALLAH, April 26, 2017 (WAFA) – Staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross started visiting Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails who have been on hunger strike since April 17, the head of the Detainees Commission Issa Qaraqe said on Wednesday.

Speaking to WAFA, Qaraqe said the Red Cross has informed them that its staff has started visiting the striking prisoners in light of the deterioration in the health condition of many of them.

He said many have already been transferred to hospitals due to their critical health situation.

Qaraqe said 1800 prisoners are currently in their tenth day of hunger strike.

He said the Israel Prisons Service has taken severe punitive measures against the prisoners in order to break their hunger strike, including confiscation of salt, provocative inspections of their cells, continuous movement of the prisoners and providing them with dirty blankets.

The hunger strikers are demanding better conditions, more contact with relatives, and an end to Israel’s practice of detention without charge or trial.

M.N./M.K.