Hunger striker’s administrative detention renewed despite Israeli promise
Khalil Awawdeh ended a 111-day hunger strike based on a verbal agreement with Israeli authorities.
Jerusalem24– Israeli authorities have reneged on a verbal agreement to release Palestinian administrative detainee Khalil Awawdeh at the end of his current detention, according to the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS).
Awawdeh had been on hunger strike for over three months to protest the conditions of his detention. Administrative detainees are held without charge or trial on the basis of secret evidence neither they nor their lawyers are allowed to see, for periods of up to six months and indefinitely renewable.
Awawdeh was detained on 27 December 2021 and placed in administrative detention. He launched a hunger strike which he ended last Wednesday after 111 days, prompted by a verbal deal with the Israeli authorities to release him at the issue of his current period of detention.
According to PPS, Awawdeh’s administrative detention was renewed for another four months and three days on Thursday.
This is Awawdeh’s fifth period of detention, three of which were administrative.
Awawdeh is currently in Ramleh Prison Hospital after experiencing difficulties speaking and communicating, in addition to severe pain throughout his body, especially his lower limbs and muscles.
PPS attorney Jawad Boulos reported that, in addition to poor vision, Awawdeh was also vomiting blood and having difficulty breathing.
He was previously transferred to hospital but then returned to Ramleh Prison Hospital, despite his health condition.
Awawdeh is a father to four children.