As Ramadan begins, fears are growing in Israel of a security escalation in Judea and Samaria, as well as in Gaza. On the other hand, Palestinian factions from within prisons continue to issue threats. They recently declared that they are on the verge of a confrontation that has not been seen before. The security prisoners’ leadership declared that the large-scale hunger strike that was decided on a month ago has begun in response to Itamar Ben Gabir, the Minister of National Security’s actions. In the meantime, the Israel Defense Forces announced that the prisoners who announced the hunger strike will be treated in compliance with their orders. Palestinian factions, including Hamas, Fatah, the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front, declared in a joint statement that the hunger strike is being held under the slogan “Freedom or Martyrdom” to pursue and curb the aggression of Minister Itamar Ben Gabir and the management of Israeli prisons. They added that this strike is a message to the world that they demand freedom. Last Sunday, in preparation for the hunger strike, the Bureau of Security Prisoners released a recorded message of the prisoners shouting for freedom. The prisoners are reacting to the measures taken by Itamar Ben Gabir, such as the closing of the pita bakeries, which they view as attacks on their dignity. Every prisoner from all factions wishes to take part in this “Freedom or martyrdom” strike.
Against the background of the beginning of the month of Ramadan, the fear in Israel of a security escalation in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip is increasing. At the same time, the Palestinian factions continue to threaten from inside the prisons as well, as they recently declared that “we are on the brink of a confrontation that has not been seen before.” The leadership of the security prisoners announced today (Tuesday) that the prisoners imprisoned in Israel began the large hunger strike that was decided about a month ago as a response to the steps taken by the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gabir. In the meantime, the Israel Defense Forces announced that the prisoners who announced the hunger strike will be treated in accordance with the Israel Defense Forces’ orders.
The Palestinian factions, including Hamas, Fatah, the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front, announced in a joint statement that the hunger strike is being held under the slogan “Freedom or Martyrdom”, with the aim of “pursuing and curbing the aggression of Minister Itamar Ben Gabir and the management of the Israeli prisons”. The statement also said that “after Israel thought it could violate our rights and our dignity, and after all the efforts that failed to restrain Ben Gabir and the denier of our existence, Smotrich, we decided to start a hunger strike to make our call for freedom heard throughout the world.”
Search in the security prisoners wing (photo: Shab’s)
Last Sunday, the Bureau of Security Prisoners published a recorded message in preparation for the hunger strike, during which the prisoners shouted: “Free us while we are alive, we are on the brink of a confrontation that has not been seen before.” This, after the prisoners’ leadership already announced last month additional measures, including the hunger strike. According to the leadership’s statement, the measures are a reaction against the activity that Ben Gvir took against the prisoners, such as the closing of the pita bakeries.
In the official statement published at the time, it was written that “Our only demand is our freedom, and everyone must hear this message and our voice. We can no longer tolerate the continued abuse of us day and night, and the attack on our dignity and the dignity of our women prisoners. This strike, entitled ‘ Freedom or martyrdom’, is a step that every prisoner of all factions will take part in.”