A few days ago, administrative detainees Anas Shadid and Ahmed Abu Farra have announced their intent to intensify their hunger strike that began in September by refusing to drink as well. The two are protesting a court decision extending their administrative detention. But a letter revealed by Israel’s Channel 2 News, reportedly written by the Deputy Director of Assaf Harofeh Hospital, where the two are staying, suggests they are not hunger-striking at all. The author enclosed pictures he says are of food and drink they sneaked into the hospital.
“I’m racking my brain how come this 19-year-old kid, skinny as a rail, is not dead yet, and today even gave a nice urine sample,” the deputy director wrote, adding, “I found on his nightstand a baggie with sugared juice.” He also reported seeing a bag near the prisoner’s bed whose contents are unknown. “This morning, when I stood near him, he was making sounds like he was expiring,” the deputy continued. “I tried to remove his bag when he suddenly sat up, pulled down the bag, hugged it forcefully and asked us not to touch it.”
The court that recently rejected the two so-called hunger striking prisoners’ appeal, also noted that the only way they may be released is if they are in a severe health condition and therefore no longer a source of danger to the security of the state.
Over the past two years, Israel has released three hunger strikers, including Islamic Jihad terrorist Muhammad Alan, whose 67-day hunger strike resulted in his temporary loss of sight and hearing.