Khader Adnan in 'critical condition' as hunger strike continues

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The health of prisoner Khader Adnan has reached critical condition as he enters his 35th day of hunger strike, head of the Palestinian Authority Prisoner's Affairs Committee said Saturday.

Adnan, who staged one of the longest hunger strikes in history in 2012, is showing sharp weight loss and low heart rate as a result of his ongoing protest of being held in Israeli prison under administrative detention, PA offical Issa Qaraqe said.

Adnan, a father of six children, was detained on July 8, 2014 and sentenced to administrative detention for the 10th time in his life.

Palestinians held in administrative detention can be held without charge or trial for months or years, and are denied access to the evidence that led to their detention.

In an open letter released last month, Adnan wrote that the goal of his strike is to resist Israel and prevent it from tarnishing the achievement of prisoners who secured their freedom by going on hunger strikes in the past, only to be rearrested by military forces.

Qaraqe held the Israeli government responsible for Adnan's deteriorating health, demanding an end to Israel's use of administrative detention, a policy he says is enacted excessively, in contravention to international and humanitarian laws which stipulate the practice be used only in extenuating circumstances. more