Palestinian held by Israel demands freedom to end hunger strike

Held by Israel without charge or trial, Khalil Awawdeh began his hunger strike 5 months

By Awad al-Rujoub

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – A hunger-striking Palestinian held by Israel vowed on Saturday to continue his protest until he is released from detention.

Khalil Awawdeh, 40, began his hunger strike five months ago to protest his detention without trial or charge by Israeli authorities.

As part of an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire that brought a recent Israeli offensive on Gaza to a halt last Sunday, Cairo said it will seek to ensure the release of Awawdeh and Islamic Jihad detainee Bassam Al-Saadi.

Israeli authorities transferred Awawdeh to hospital on Thursday as his health deteriorated.

“I will not end my hunger strike until gaining freedom,” his wife, Dalal Khalil, quoted Awawdeh as saying in a statement released by the Palestinian Prisoner Society.

Awawdeh’s wife met him on Saturday at hospital in a visit mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

An Israeli court is set to hold a session on Sunday to look into his release.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar

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