Israel ‘disdains’ hunger strikers

BETHLEHEM: As 1 300 Palestinian prisoners entered their 37th day of a mass hunger strike, with dozens of prisoners transferred to civilian hospitals because of their critical health conditions, the Israeli government has continued to refuse to negotiate with leaders of the hunger strike.

Head of the Palestinian Committee of Prisoners’ Affairs, Issa Qaraqe, on Tuesday accused Israel of “disdaining the lives and health of hunger strikers in favour of causing deaths among them”. He warned that “if something happens to any, nobody will be able to control the anger of the Palestinian people”. Qaraqe said a special team had been tasked to hold talks with the Israelis.