Palestinian detainee held by Israel hospitalised after 100 days on hunger strike

A Palestinian prisoner has been rushed to hospital as his health deteriorates after 100 days on hunger strike in protest at his administrative detention detention by Israel.

Khalil Awawdeh, 40, was transferred on Friday from the Ramleh Prison to an Israeli hospital following a serious deterioration in his health, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club said.

Awadeh, originally from Hebron, lost over 16 kg and suffered headaches, joint pain, severe fatigue, arrhythmia, and frequent vomiting after going on hunger strike.

In an attempt to deter him from continuing his hunger strike, prison authorities warned him on his 50th day of hunger strike that he would not be sent to hospital unless he goes into a coma, said Qaddoura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Club. 

Urgent | Prisoner Club: The Occupation Prisons Administration has transferred the detainee Khalil Awawdeh, who has been on hunger strike for 100 days, from Ramleh prison to the hospital again after a serious deterioration in his health condition.#الحرية_لخليل_عواودة #FreeKhalil pic.twitter.com/Bb3XEtkhgx

— Palestine captives (@Palestinecapti1) June 10, 2022

Awadeh was detained in his hometown, Idhna, in the southern West Bank near Hebron on 27 December 2021 under an administrative detention order which is due to end on 26 June but can be extended.

This is the fifth time Awadeh, a father of four, has been arrested since 2002 and the third that he was held under administrative detention without charge.

Around 500 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, which 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 this system is abusive to Palestinian children in particular, who are mostly arrested on suspicion of throwing stones.