Israel rearrests hunger striker Khader Adnan

Israeli police yesterday rearrested Palestinian hunger striker Khader Adnan in Jerusalem as he was trying to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Adnan had just been released on Sunday after a 56-day hunger strike in protest against his administrative detention by Israel. He visited several houses in East Jerusalem before heading to Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray.

The Palestinian Authority was informed by Israel that Adnan would be released after investigations were carried out.

An Israeli spokeswoman said Adnan was arrested because he had no official permit to enter Jerusalem.

At 1am this morning, Adnan was transferred from Ofer Prison in Israel to Beitunia west of Ramallah. There he was then taken by a Palestinian Authority vehicle to his home village of Arraba in southern Jenin.

Adnan, who is an Islamic Jihad leader, went on hunger strike for 67 days in 2012, protesting his administrative detention by Israel. He was released and a few months later rearrested.

He went on a new hunger strike which lasted 56 days. The Israeli Prison Service struck a deal with him stipulating his immediate release.