Palestinian detainee Maher al-Akhras released after being on hunger strike for more than 100 days

After 103 days of hunger strike, the Palestinian administrative detainee Maher al-Akhras was released and he gained freedom after his strong will defeated the Israeli occupation in the empty stomach battle which he started in protest against the occupation’s crimes against the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails.

WAFA News Agency said that Al-Akhras was released according to an agreement that provides for the occupation’s commitment to releasing him today.   

Al-Akhras, 49, went on hunger strike on July 27 after he was slammed with a four-month administrative detention order, demanding his release from prison.

 He refused to eat or drink for 103 days before the Israeli occupation succumbed to his demand and agreed to release him after completing his detention period, which normally would have been extended indefinitely, Wafa agency said.

The policy of administrative detention, which Israel has been adopting to arrest Palestinian political activists and keep them in prison for indefinite periods of time without charge or trial, is considered illegal according to the international law.

The Israeli occupation currently holds over 350 Palestinians in administrative detention, some of them were able to secure their release after going on hunger strike, as in the case of Maher al-Akhras.

Hamda Mustafa