Prisoner resumes hunger strike after term extended

Palestinian prisoner Hassan Safadi resumed hunger strike action on Thursday after Israeli authorities renewed his administrative detention for a further six months, a prisoners group said. Addameer lawyer Fares Ziad confirmed that Safadi re-launched his strike action and is currently being held in solitary confinement in Hadarim prison. Hassan Safadi ended a 71-day hunger strike on May 14 after Israel promised not to renew his detention without charge or trial. Prisoner rights group Addameer on Thursday said it was outraged by Israel's decision to renege on the deal and extend his detention without trial. Israel's decision to renew Safadi's administrative detention by six months "is a blatant violation of the agreement between the prisoners’ hunger strike committee and Israeli officials," Addameer said. Under the May 14 deal, prisoners representatives secured clear commitments from Israel that five administrative detainees on long-term hunger strike, including Safadi, would be released at the end of their term, Palestinian Prisoner Society head Qadura Fares said at the time. Israel committed not to renew the administrative detention of over 300 Palestinians held without charge if there was no new information requiring their imprisonment, Fares added.