All Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike in Israeli custody since April 24 have been evacuated to hospitals after their health deteriorated seriously, a lawyer said.

Jawad Bulous, who works for the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society, said that most Israeli hospitals from Soroka Medical Center in southern Israel to Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba in central Israel, received prisoners.

The Israeli prison service, added Bulous, has been exerting serious efforts for two days to work out a settlement with hunger strikers in light of the ongoing deterioration.

Several officers representing the Israeli prison service visited hunger strikers for talks.

The officers suggested a meeting with leaders of Palestinian prisoners at Rimon prison, but the request was turned down because the Israelis did not want a representative of hunger strikers to join the talks.

Over 200 Palestinian prisoners are currently on hunger strike in Israeli jails in solidarity with dozens of administrative detainees who have been refusing meals since April 24.

Strikers are demanding Israel stop imprisoning Palestinians without charge or trial in a procedure known as “administrative detention,” a policy based on legislation from the British Mandate period.

(Ma’an – wwww.maannews.net)