Arab-Israeli Conflict

Palestinian prisoner ends hunger strike in deal with Israel

Israel reportedly agrees not to renew administrative detention of Palestinian Islamic Jihad member Hisham Abu Hawash.

By David Hellerman, World Israel News

Hisham Abu Hawash agreed to end his 140-day hunger strike after reaching an agreement with Israel. The 40-year-old Hawash, who is a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad, will be released from administrative detention next month, his lawyer said.

Hawash’s lawyer, Jawad Boulos, said Israel agreed not to renew his administrative detention and pledged to release Hawash on February 26.

Haaretz reported that the negotiations involved Israeli, Palestinian Authority and Egyptian officials. Egypt has been trying to broker a cease fire between Hamas and Israel.  Islamic Jihad threatened violence if Hawash dies in Israeli custody.

Islamic Jihad’s firing of two rockets towards Israel on Saturday may have been related to Hawash’s deteriorating health. Hawash was recently transferred to the Shamir Medical Center (Assaf HaRofeh) south of Tel Aviv.

The controversial practice of administrative detention is a holdover from the British Mandate. The policy allows the government to arrest and hold a suspect without charge if they pose a security risk. It is usually used when the state has sensitive intelligence indicating that the suspect is involved in terror activity even though the suspect has not necessarily committed a crime.

Share
Published by
Pesach Benson
Tags: administrative detention Hunger strike Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Recent Posts

  • Source-WIN
  • World News

Republicans criticize Trump’s abrupt plan to end US military aid to Israel

Netanyahu proposed a 10-year transition, but Trump wants to end military assistance by December 2026.

7 hours ago
  • Israel News

Eisenkot demands emergency gov’t, will get first shot to form coalition

Yashar leader outlines conditions for coalition partners and warns against efforts to prolong Netanyahu’s premiership.

9 hours ago
  • World News

Court orders Sotheby’s to return painting looted by Nazis to Jewish heirs

The agreement between the two descendants and Sotheby’s was arranged by Toronto-based Mondex Corporation.

9 hours ago
  • World News

US blocked Netanyahu’s planned Iran strike before Israeli election

Senior Israeli security officials warned it could trigger escalation and delay elections.

9 hours ago
  • World News

Michigan governor-elect taps openly antisemitic Nation of Islam leader and Farrakhan acolyte to serve on transition team

Muhammad's comments about Jews and the embrace of antisemitic conspiracy theories are often tied to…

10 hours ago
  • Videos

WATCH: Passersby can’t tell Hasan Piker from Hamas

Pro-Israel comedian Zach Sage Fox quizzed people on the street with radical, extreme quotes, asking…

10 hours ago