Hundreds of Hamas Prisoners Set to Go on Hunger Strike

Israel Radio on Thursday quoted Palestinian sources as saying that hundreds of Hamas terrorists in Israeli prisons are planning to go on a mass hunger strike. The terrorists are protesting what they call “humiliating” searches and attempts by prison authorities to separate prisoners.

The leader of the hunger strikers is Muhammad Amran, who stopped eating several days ago after he was placed in solitary confinement for prison security violations. Other terrorists are planning to join the hunger strike in the coming days, the report said.

Already on a hunger strike are about 70 Islamic Jihad terrorists, who are protesting the rearrest of Bilal Ka’id, a member of the group who was jailed after having served 14-½ years in prison. He has been fasting for 50 days, and has been in the hospital for the past three weeks.

Overnight Wednesday, security officials said they arrested five wanted security suspects in other areas in Yehudah and Shomron. The suspects were wanted for participating in rioting and throwing stones and firebombs that endangered Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers. Several of the suspects were also charged with belonging to Hamas. All were being questioned on their activities by security forces.