2 Palestinian prisoners refuse to end hunger strike in Israel

Two Palestinians in an Israeli jail who have been on hunger strike for more than two months, rejected Israel's deal to end their strike in exchange for being released within four months, media reports said.

The Palestinian Committee of Prisoners' Affairs confirmed that Anas Shadid, 20, and Ahmad Abu Farah, 29, rejected the deal on Saturday, Efe news agency cited a statement released by the committee on Friday.

The two have been on strike for nearly 71 days in a protest against their imprisonment under Israel's administrative detention policy that allows internment without charges or trial.

According to the committee, the prisoners reiterated their determination to go ahead with the hunger strike until they are released.

The prisoners have been admitted to the intensive care unit, while medical reports indicated that they have already suffered irreversible damage.

A report sent to the Supreme Court said that both prisoners were facing a real risk of serious damage to their vital organs, which could lead to permanent disability or even sudden death.

The Palestinian committee recently noted that the two Palestanians have partially or completely lost their ability to speak, drink and hear.

According to data from the Palestinian Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Israel holds about 7,000 Palestinians, including 720 under the administrative detention and other 400 minors.

--IANS

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