RAMALLAH, May 26, 2017 (WAFA) – The health conditions of Palestinian prisoners who have been on a hunger strike for 40 days in a row dominated front page headlines in local Palestinian dailies.

Al-Quds reported head of the Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa Qaraqe warning the health conditions of hunger strikers have become “very critical” and expressing concerns over possible deaths of hunger strikers.

The dailies added scores of hunger strikers were transferred from prisons to Israeli civilian, while al-Quds said many fainted when they were transferred to hospitals.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida reported the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warning hunger strikers have entered a “critical phase”.

Al-Ayyam explained hunger strikers were suffering from kidneys and muscles pain. It reported Israeli human rights group B’Tselem vocing concerns that Israel may choose to force-feed the prisoners.

It also reported UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein urging Israel to respect prisoners’ human rights.

Furthermore, the dailies spotlighted President Mahmoud Abbas’ statements during a meeting for Fatah Central Committee in Ramallah.

Abbas was reported pledging to secure a victory for hunger strikers and not allow them to be brought down on their knees or silenced.

He was also reported stating the issue of hunger-striking prisoners was “difficult and sensitive” and that he has asked the US envoy Jason Greenblatt to intervene to safeguard the rights of prisoners and achieve their humanitarian demands.  

Al-Hayat al-Jadida reported Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah urging countries all over the world to act before it is too late to save hunger strikers.

The dailies said a Palestinian man, identified as Muhannad Abd al-Rahman, 45, from the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem succumbed to his wounds after he was shot by Israeli forces.

Abd al-Rahman was shot and injured by Israeli forces after he allegedly stabbed an Israeli police officer in the Israeli city of Netanya last Tuesday.

They added five Palestinians were injured during clashes that erupted with Israeli forces at the southern entrance of Qalqilya in the northern West Bank.

Al-Ayyam and al-Hayat al-Jadida said Israeli forces detained a total of 22 Palestinians during multiple overnight raids across the West Bank.

Al-Quds and al-Ayyam said the Hamas movement executed three people over the assassination of one of its military leaders Mazen Fuqaha in March in the Gaza Strip.

They added Israel plans to reduce electricity supply to the besieged Gaza Strip after two weeks.

They reported the European Union (EU) slamming Israeli settlement activity and reiterating West Bank Area C is a part of the future Palestinian state.

Al-Quds reported the World Bank stating it is committed to supporting the Palestinian people on their path to a better future.

Al-Ayyam said Israeli occupation authorities have published tenders that would only sell “state lands” in the West Bank to Jewish Israelis.

K.F.