A PALESTINIAN prisoner on his 61st day of hunger strike while shackled to a bed in an Israeli hospital is in immediate danger of death, according to a medical report submitted to the supreme court in an effort to secure his release.
Khader Adnan, 33, a baker from a village near Jenin, is being held without charge by the Israeli authorities under a four-month term of “administrative detention”. He began his hunger strike on December 18th, the day after being arrested.
Mr Adnan's lawyers have submitted a petition for his release to Israel's supreme court, but no date has been set for a hearing. The situation was urgent, lawyer Mahmoud Kassandra told The Guardian. "This is the last chance. The medical report says he could die at any minute. We hope this will succeed but I am not optimistic."
Mr Adnan’s hunger strike is in protest at being detained without charge or being told of evidence against him, and over his claims of abuse and degrading treatment during arrest and interrogation. This is his ninth period of detention, according to reports. In the past he was a spokesman for the militant group Islamic Jihad.
He was examined by a doctor from Physicians for Human Rights on Wednesday at the Rebecca Ziv hospital in Safed.
“He has lost 30kg and weighs 60kg. He suffers from stomach aches, vomiting, sometimes with blood, and headaches. His general condition is pale and very weak. His has slight bleeding from the gums, dry skin, loss of hair, and significant muscular atrophy. His pulse is weak. He is permanently connected to a heart monitor.”
Mr Adnan, who was lucid and aware, agreed to be treated with an infusion of liquids and salts, with the addition of glucose and vitamins, the doctor reported.
“However, he maintains his refusal to end his hunger strike.”
Mr Adnan’s wife, Randa, his two daughters and his father were permitted to visit him on Wednesday, although his mother, sister and brother were refused.
“Randa told me he was very thin and his health was worsening but his mental health is good,” his sister Maali said from the family home in Arrada. “But the whole family is worried.”
Following the visit, Mr Adnan’s father addressed a demonstration outside the hospital in solidarity with Mr Adnan, reporting that his son’s morale was high. “He does not undertake this hunger strike for its own sake, but he yearns for freedom for his people, for his countrymen, in order to live with heads held up high, without occupation,” Jihad Adnan said.
Earlier this week, an Israeli military court rejected an appeal against the detention. According to the British Medical Association, death generally occurs between 55 and 75 days of a hunger strike.
– ( Guardianservice)