Palestinians in Gaza Go on Hunger Strike in Solidarity with Jailed Journalist

Local Editor

Palestinian activists in Gaza are on the fourth day of a hunger strike in a show of solidarity with journalist Mohammed al-Qiq, who has been refusing food for over two months in an "Israeli" jail.

The group of Palestinian elites in Gaza had announced on Saturday the start of a hunger strike in solidarity with the Palestinian journalist Muhammad Al-Qiq.

The six-day hunger strike, which was organized by the National Committee in Solidarity with al-Qiq, will last until Thursday. There will also be a number of other activities taking place during the strike.

Journalists, officials, former prisoners and former hunger striker Ayman Sharawneh are taking part in the protest.

The committee urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to exert pressure on the Tel Aviv regime through the international community and secure the release of al-Qiq.

The solidarity group also called on Arab and European parliaments as well as human rights and journalism organizations to help free al-Qiq from "Israeli" custody.

The activists also said the "Israeli" apartheid regime would be responsible for the health of the Palestinian hunger striker.

Al-Qiq who is on hunger strike in protest at his administrative detention by the "Israeli" entity had lost his power of speech and is in critical condition, according to the journalist's lawyer and family.

The journalist, a 33-year-old father of two and a correspondent for an Arabic TV network, was arrested on November 21 last year at his home in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah.

Administrative detention is a sort of imprisonment without trial or charge that allows Israel to incarcerate Palestinians for up to six months. The detention order can be renewed for indefinite periods of time.

More than 7,000 Palestinians are reportedly incarcerated in 17 "Israeli" prisons and detention centers.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team