By Laith Aljnaidi
AMMAN, Jordan (AA) – A group of young Jordanians has begun a hunger strike to highlight the Israeli blockade of the northern Gaza Strip and to show solidarity with Palestinians.
Frustrated by the lack of international action to break the blockade, the young Jordanians joined the “Hunger Strikers for Gaza” campaign, which began in early November in multiple countries.
During the campaign's first five days, which spread widely on social media, 60 young Jordanians participated despite health risks, hoping to help end the blockade.
Rend Nemas, one of the hunger strikers, told Anadolu that on the first day of the campaign, people from Jordan, Brazil, Egypt, and Algeria participated.
She added that they expected more participants from the US by Nov. 8.
Nemas said the idea for a hunger strike in Jordan originated with a protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Amman.
“Currently, 60 people have officially joined the action in Jordan,” she said, adding, “We've seen more interest than we expected from different sectors of society.”
For participation in the hunger strike, Nemas explained that those wishing to join must first register on the Instagram page “Hunger Strikers for Gaza” by adding their names to the group and taking an oath.
“The 60 people currently participating have followed the registration process, but an additional 40 others have started the hunger strike without completing the formal procedure,” she added.
- Goal is to allow 500 aid trucks into northern Gaza
Nemas shared that her life has been deeply affected by the daily images of death and destruction in Gaza, adding: “A hunger strike is a well-known and historically effective method used to bring attention to an issue.”
“International law requires countries to monitor the health of hunger strikers, listen to their demands, and, if possible, fulfill them,” she stressed.
“We will continue the hunger strike until 500 aid trucks are allowed to enter northern Gaza, particularly into Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahia,” she pledged.
- Hunger strikers vow to continue protesting until demands are met
Another hunger striker, Muhammed Avde, told Anadolu that they would continue their hunger strike until their demands were met.
"While the Jordanian government has done its best so far, it could do more," he said, expressing confidence in his government to meet their requests.
Muhammed al-Tubasi, who is also on a hunger strike, said while their protest will not bring back those who have died in Gaza or rebuild the enclave, it may help facilitate aid entry.
“We have border crossings between us and the West Bank. Just as goods are allowed into Israel, we want aid to be allowed into Gaza as well,” he stressed, adding, “The hunger strike is a form of pressure. We’ve set a 100-day deadline to meet our demands. If we are unsuccessful, we will try another approach.”
He also noted that they are only drinking water, taking salt, and now experiencing general fatigue, dizziness, and headaches, with symptoms intensifying as the strike continues.
On Monday, the Gaza Government Media Office reported that the Israeli military has been using starvation and dehydration as weapons against civilians.
The Israeli army has prevented 3,800 aid trucks from entering northern Gaza, leaving more than 400,000 people, including over 100,000 children, without food, it added.
*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli in Istanbul.