Hunger-striking Palestinian detainee hospitalised as health deteriorates

A Palestinian under Israel's administrative detention was transferred to hospital as his health deteriorated, amid an ongoing hunger strike to protest his imprisonment.

Khalil Awawdeh, 40, was transferred to Tel Aviv-based Assaf Harofeh Hospital by the Israeli Prison Services on Tuesday after he had become too sick to be under the care of Ramleh Prison Clinic.

The decision was made following a request by his attorney during a court hearing on his case, according to Hassan Abed-Rabbu, spokesperson of the Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission.

The father-of-four started his hunger strike 63 days ago to protest his imprisonment at the notorious detention facility of Ofer without charge or trial. 

#BREAKING
Mahaja Al-Quds: Transferring the hunger-striking captive for the 62 day in a row, Khalil Awawdeh, to Asaf Harofeh hospital, due to the seriousness of his health condition.#FreeKhalil #الحرية_لخليل_عواودة pic.twitter.com/3q51w8nSEK

— Palestine captives (@Palestinecapti1) May 3, 2022

It has been reported that he suffered from headaches, joint pain, severe fatigue, arrhythmia, frequent vomiting and an extreme weight loss of 20kg.

He was initially transferred from a solitary confinement cell in the notorious detention facility of Ofer, west of Ramallah, to the Ramleh Prison clinic following his health deterioration.

Awadeh was detained on December 27 last year in the Idhna town in Hebron's southern West Bank district and has since been subjected to abuse by prison authorities, such as solitary confinement.

IPS has refused multiple requests to end his administrative detention.

Around 650 out of the 4,550 Palestinian political prisoners are being held in Israeli administrative detention without charge or trial, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.

Under the administrative detention order, Israel imprisons Palestinians for six months at a time, though this can be extended indefinitely.

Israel says the procedure allows authorities to hold alleged suspects in a measure to "prevent attacks" while continuing to gather evidence.

Rights groups say such a system is abusive to Palestinian children, who are mostly arrested on suspicion of throwing stones.

Among the total Palestinians are held in Palestinian prisons are 32 women and 160 minors, according to human rights groups.