In this Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016 photo, Palestinians stand by a tent set up in solidarity with Bilal Kayed, 34, in front of his family home in the village of Assira al-Shamaliya near the West Bank city of Nablus. Kayed, 34, started a hunger strike on June 14, after Israel ordered him held for six months without charges, immediately following his completion of a 14-and-a-half-year prison term for shooting at Israeli troops. Poster reads: "The homeland takes on the color of its people. You are lone in the cell and your dreams are full of light. All the happiness is in your eyes." Poster on the right reads: "Your steadfastness defeats the wardens. Freedom is our destiny." (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)

Seeking freedom, Palestinian in 3rd month of hunger strike

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territory – Advocacy groups say a Palestinian detainee who has been on a hunger strike for two months to press for his release is determined to continue despite deteriorating health.

Bilal Kayed, 34, began the fast June 14, after Israel ordered him held for six months without charges, immediately following his completion of a 14-and-a-half-year prison term for shooting at Israeli troops. Qadoura Fares of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club group said Sunday that he is concerned adding so-called administrative detention on to prison terms could signal a new policy. Israel’s Prison Service had no immediate comment.

The advocacy group Addameer said after visiting Kayed last week that he is shackled to an Israeli hospital bed and suffers from severe pain, blurred vision, numbness, hair loss and yellowness and peeling of the skin.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.

Leave a Reply

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles