Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have begun an open-ended hunger strike to demand better prison conditions, according to Palestinian and Israeli officials.
Issa Qaraqe, head of the Palestinian prisoners commission, told local media that about 1300 prisoners were protesting over grievances including medical negligence, administrative detention and limited family visits.
According to the Israeli Prison Service, 700 Palestinian prisoners have declared that they will join the hunger strike, a number that the service expects to increase in coming days.
The strike was called by imprisoned Fatah party leader Marwan Barghouti, who is serving five life terms for his involvement in the killing of Israelis earlier this century.
Marking Palestinian Prisoners' Day on Monday, Palestinian officials have called for a large show of public support for the prisoners as rallies and other activities are planned in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Palestinians hold pictures of their relatives held in Israeli jails during a supportive rally calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, in the West Bank city of Nablus, 16 April 2017. (AAP) Source: EPA
Top Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi called on the international community to bring an end to the "inhumane" treatment of Palestinian prisoners, which she said was in violation of the Geneva Convention.
There are more than 6500 Palestinians in Israeli jails, including 500 prisoners held without charges or a trial, according to the prisoners' commission.
Palestinian families seeking to visit imprisoned relatives require permits to enter Israel, which are usually given selectively and declined during Israeli army border closings.
