Tensions rise in the Zionist entity as Palestinian prisoners went on a mass hunger strike in protest against repressive Israeli measures, as occupation forces are gearing up ahead the holy month of Ramadan.
Thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons started a mass open-ended hunger strike today in protest of the Israeli repression campaign, Waed Prisoners’ Association announced.
It added that Israeli occupation forces took leaders of the Supreme National Emergency Committee of the National Captive Movement- who announced a hunger strike on Tuesday – to an unknown location.
BREAKING: Thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons officially started a mass open-ended hunger strike today in protest of the Israeli repression campaign, initiated by hardline Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir. pic.twitter.com/lkBpVGW8pM
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 22, 2023
Earlier on Tuesday, six prisoners from the Supreme National Emergency Committee, which manages the prisoners’ protests, started a hunger strike on Tuesday, vowing to escalate disobedience against Israeli measures.
The Supreme National Emergency Committee composed of all-Palestinian factions in jails.
Occupation Responds
For its part, the so-called ‘Israel Prison Service’ (IPS) said that the Palestinian prisoners “will be dealt with disciplinarily.”
In a statement, the IPS said it “will show zero tolerance toward violations of order and discipline, and will act as always with professionalism and determination in the face of any threat.”
The strike is in protest against repressive measures ordered by Israeli so-called National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Since he assumed office in January, Ben Gvir placed more restrictions on Palestinian prisoners’ access to running water and exercise time. Shower times have been limited and bakeries have been shut down to deny prisoners access to fresh bread, Palestinian media reported, adding that the number of raids and searches, as well as the number of people in solitary confinement, has also increased.
Lions’ Den
Lions’ Den resistance group voiced full support to the prisoners, stressing it was prepared for confrontation with Israeli occupation.
“We will continue our fight, and we will not lay down our arms at all costs,” the Nablus-based resistance group said in a statement on Tuesday.
IOF Gear up for Ramadan
On the other hand, Israeli occupation forces have been gearing up for the holy month of Ramadan, with tension already high across the West Bank and in occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem).
Officials at the occupation police’s “Jerusalem district” held meetings in recent days with various Israeli “local” officials to coordinate the holiday activities in occupied Al-Quds, The Time of Israeli reported, adding that occupation military officials have held similar meetings with officials from the Palestinian AUthority in the West Bank in recent weeks.
The month of Ramadan has often been marked by clashes and high tension between Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinians.
Israeli media cited top defense Israeli officials who warned that the upcoming Ramadan “may be the most difficult to handle in years.”
Tensions remained high amid a cycle of deadly Israeli raids in the West Bank and deadly Palestinian operations, as well as an uptick in settler violence, according to The Times of Israel.
Israeli occupation troops excessively target Palestinian schoolchildren with teargas bombs in occupied #Jerusalem‘s Shuafat camp. pic.twitter.com/gOpG2NRd71
— AlQastal News (@QastalNewsEn) March 22, 2023
Source: Palestinian and Israeli media (translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website)
