RAMALLAH, Tuesday, April 09, 2019 (WAFA) – The Israel Prison Services (IPS) began today relocating striking Palestinian prisoners from the Naqab (Ketziot) and Ramon prisons in the south of the country to other prisons in an attempt to crush their hunger strike, said the head of the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, Qadri Abu Bakr.

About 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for resisting the occupation began yesterday an open-ended hunger strike in the two prisons following failure of negotiation between the IPS and prisoners’ representatives demanding better prison conditions., including removing recently installed jamming devices deemed hazardous to the health of the prisoners.

Abu Bakr told WAFA that more prisoners are expected to join their fellow striking prisoners today, while a larger number of prisoners will join the strike on April 17 and on May 1, noting that the Israeli authorities are expected to intensify their repressive measures against the striking prisoners in the coming days, especially force-feeding them.

While the strikers currently refuse food, they are expected to also refuse water in one week, which could lead to serious consequences on their health.

Meanwhile, prisoners support organizations have called for wide public support for the striking prisoners with activities planned for today and the coming days in the various cities.

K.T./M.K.