A Palestinian journalist detained in Israel suspends his hunger strike

The Palestinian journalist arrested in Israel, Alaa al-Rimawi, announced the suspension of his hunger strike in exchange for his release next month.

This came according to what was stated by Khaled Zabaraqa, Al-Rimawi’s lawyer, during a press conference he held in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Read also Prisoner Rushdi Abu Mokh embraces freedom after 35 years in Israeli prisons Palestinian official: Israeli prisons are a scene of “torture and oppression” of prisoners Fatima, wife of released prisoner Majd Barbar … a tale of freedom that dawned after two decades behind barsUmm Sharif Thouqan … “The mother and sister of the prisoners” narrates 4 decades of circumnavigation of the occupation prisons

Zabarqa said that he informed Rimawi – during his visit to Ofer prison on Thursday evening – of the decision of the Israeli authorities to reduce the period of his administrative detention from 3 months to a month and a half, to be released next month.

He added, “A secret session was held between the (Israeli) court, the intelligence services and the Military Prosecution, and a decision was issued to reduce the period of administrative detention from 3 months to a month and a half.”

“He (Rimawi) briefed him on the merits of the decision, and he was very satisfied and pleased,” Zebarqa added, indicating that he will be on June 5 with his family.

Al-Rimawi was arrested on April 21 from his home in the city of Ramallah (center) and immediately announced a hunger strike until his release, and on April 25, Israel referred him to administrative detention for a period of 3 months, which can be extended.

Al-Rimawi expressed – in a message read by his brother Yahya al-Rimawi after the press conference – his thanks to everyone who stood by him, pledging to return to his journalistic work to expose the violations of the occupation.

He added, “It was announced that the hunger strike would be stopped after the defense team extracted the decision, which was the result of 16 days of the strike.”

Rimawi runs the Jmedia media network. He is a former detainee and has spent more than 10 years in Israeli prisons, part of which is in administrative detention.

Administrative detention is held under an Israeli military order without an indictment, for a period of up to 6 months, which can be extended.

The Israeli authorities arrest about 4,400 Palestinians in their prisons, including 39 women, and about 155 children, while the number of administrative detainees is approximately 350, according to institutions concerned with prisoners’ affairs.