On Sunday, December 19, 2021, an Israeli court has rejected a petition to move Hesham Abu Hawash, a Palestinian detainee who has been on hunger strike for 125 days demanding an end to his administrative detention without a charge or trial, to hospital.
The Israeli court refused an appeal submitted by Abu Hawash, to move him to a civil hospital after a serious deterioration in his difficult health situation.
The court ruled that Ramla Prison clinic is the only authority to decide whether to move Abu Hawash to a civil hospital or keep him in the prison’s clinic.
Last week, an Israeli court had turned down an appeal to release him and passed a verdict a week ago endorsing his four-month administrative detention.
Abu Hawash, a father of five, was detained on October 27, 2020, and held in administrative detention for six months that was renewed more than once.
Abu Hawash’s family has warned that their son may die at any moment as a result of his prolonged hunger strike, calling for urgent action to save his life before it is too late.
At least four of five other hunger strikers have recently ended their protests after reaching deals with Israeli authorities. They are expected to be released in the coming months.
Hunger strikes have been common among Palestinian prisoners and have helped secure several concessions from Israeli authorities.
The nature of these strikes have varied from individuals protesting detention without charge to groups calling for improved imprisonment conditions.
Around 500 of the 4,600 Palestinians detained by Israel are held in administrative detention.
