Thousands of Gazans march in solidarity with prisoners as hunger strike enters 12th day

GAZA: While the hunger strike of the Palestinians prisoners entered its 12th day, thousands of Gaza residents took to streets after Friday prayers across the coastal enclave in solidarity with the prisoners.

The demonstrations were called by Hamas, Islamic Jihad movement and other Palestinian political factions.

During the protest before the Red Cross headquarters where participants attended Friday’s prayers, Mohammed Al-Hindi, senior Islamic Jihad leader told the gathering that,” negotiations between detainees and the prison service had come to a dead end, and the prisoners only have their empty bowels to fight with.”

He added that the prisoners for the 12th day in a row are fighting for their usurped rights. Stressing that the Israeli prison department is trying to stall again and fool the prisoners, but the prisoners increased their strike to gain the battle.

Thousands of Hamas supporters also gathered in northern Gaza Strip in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners.

On Thursday, a prisoner rights group said in a statement that, Israeli prison authorities are cracking down on Palestinians on hunger strike in Israeli jail. In the statement which issued by Al-Dammer rights group, said that strikers protesting worsening conditions have been transferred to different facilities, denied visits by lawyers, and put in solitary confinement.

At Ofer prison, 12 hunger strikers were held in two isolation cells meant for four detainees each and forced to walk around the prison overnight, the group said. Hunger strikers at Ofer and Ashkelon prisons have been beaten by the prison authorities, it added. more

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