May 14, 2012

JERUSALEM (JTA) — It is unclear whether a deal to end the hunger strike of at least 1,400  Palestinian prisoners is near completion.

Unnamed Palestinian officials told Reuters Monday that Egypt had completed brokering a deal that would bring the hunger strike to an end. Rumors about the deal had been circulating over the weekend.

The prisoners and Israeli officials now must hammer out some specific details, according to Reuters.

But Israeli sources reportedly told Ynet Monday that no agreement had been reached. 

Some 1,400 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are on an open-ended hunger strike launched more than three weeks ago. The mass hunger strike is calling for an end to solitary confinement and isolation; for allowing families of prisoners from the Gaza Strip to visit their loved ones; and allowing prisoners to have newspapers, learning materials and specific television channels. It is also protesting administrative detention. A prisoner can be held in administrative detention, without charges being brought, for up to four months; it can also be renewed.

Ten of the hunger strikers reportedly are under hospital supervision.

Two of the hunger strikers — Bilal Diab, 27, of Jenin, and Thaer Halahla, 33, of Hebron, who are both members of the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization — have been on a hunger strike for more than 70 days, placing their lives in danger.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad have threatened consequences if any of the hunger strikers die.

 

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