Palestinian prisoner enters 66th day of hunger strike in Israeli jail

A Palestinian prisoner entered his 66th day of hunger strike on Sunday, as he and five others continue their protest against their administrative detention.

Kayed Fusfus, entered his 66th day of hunger strike, while Miqdad Al-Qawasma is on his 59th day, Alaa Al-Araj is on his 41th day, Hisham Abu Hawash is on his 33rd day, and Shadi Abu Aker is on his 25th day.

Hassan Abd Rabbo, the media advisor to the Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs Authority, said in a press statement that the prisoners are suffering from difficult health conditions, including body aches, weight loss, a lack of salt and fluids in the body and severe fatigue and exhaustion.

All six are prisoners who have been arrested several times.

Around 350 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli administrative detention without charge or trial, according to reports.

Under administrative detention orders, Israel imprisons Palestinians for six months at a time, which can be extended indefinitely.

Israel says the procedure allows authorities to hold alleged suspects in a measure to "prevent attacks" while continuing to gather evidence.

Rights groups say such a system is abusive to Palestinian children, who are mostly arrested for throwing stones.