Hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners Malik Al-Qadi and brothers Muhammad and Mahmoud Balboul ended their hunger strikes today, which they began in July in protest against being held by Israel without charge, following a decision by Israeli authorities not to extend their administrative detention.
Muhammad Balboul, 26, had refused food for 77 days, while his 23-year-old brother Mahmoud had been on hunger strike for 79 days, and 25-year-old Malik Al-Qadi declared his hunger strike on 16 July, spending 68 days without food.
Head of the Palestinian Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs Issa Qaraqe said in a statement that Muhammad and Mahmoud were set to be released on 8 December while Al-Qadi would be released tomorrow.
Qaraqe attributed the success to the efforts of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian people and their leadership, in addition to national, regional, international human rights organisations and national organisations involved in the ongoing campaign to pressure Israel to release the three prisoners.
The three prisoners also thanked the scores of prisoners who supported them by launching temporary hunger strikes in solidarity.
The Balboul and Al-Qadi families also extended their gratitude to everyone who supported their sons in their struggle against administrative detention, and wished freedom for all Palestinian political prisoners, according to Qaraqe’s statement.