Khader Adnan could die in Israeli prison, warns group, as he continues hunger strike

The Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) has warned that prisoner Khader Adnan could die in an Israeli prison, as he remains on hunger strike to protest his detention.

Adnan, who hails from the occupied West Bank town of Arraba, has been on hunger strike for 71 days in administrative detention.

He was detained again by Israeli authorities in 2019 after being released from prison following another hunger strike.

“Palestinian prisoner and prominent activist Sheikh Khader Adnan has been on an open-ended hunger strike for the 70th day in a row in protest against his detention without charge or trial in Israeli occupation prisons.”
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Administrative orders can be as long as six months and renewed indefinitely based on "secret information" provided by the Israeli intelligence that neither the detainee nor their lawyer has access to.

The practice has been slammed by rights groups.

"Prisoner [Khader] Adnan has reached a very dangerous stage since he went on hunger strike at the moment of his arrest, and he is at risk of dying at any moment, especially since the occupation authorities until today refuse to deal with his demands," the PPC said in a statement.

It added that Adnan, 44, was refusing any kind of support, including medical.

He remains in custody at Ramla prison in a cell equipped with cameras, reported Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab’s sister site. He has reportedly been subjected to pressure and abuse. 

Israeli authorities have deliberately delayed Adnan’s transfer to a hospital for more than two years despite the severe deterioration of his health.

The group called on international human rights groups to intervene to save the prisoner’s life "before it’s too late," and asked for the Palestinian people to show their full support and solidarity.