Israel frees Palestinian who ended hunger strike in February
RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territory – The Israeli military says a Palestinian prisoner who ended a 94-day hunger strike in February has been released to his home in the West Bank.
It says Mohammed al-Qeq was freed on Thursday.
Al-Qeq went on hunger strike in November to win release from administrative detention, a practice that can keep some prisoners in custody without charges for an indefinite time. Israel says it is an important security tool to deter militant attacks.
Palestinian prisoners have used hunger strikes before to draw attention to their detention. Fearing a fasting detainee’s death could spark more violence, Israel has at times acceded to their demands.
Israel has said that al-Qeq, who has worked as a journalist for a Saudi media outlet, was involved in activities linked to the militant group Hamas.
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