Palestinians Fast in Israeli Prisons

Thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, both civilian and military, began a hunger strike on Sunday, taking only fluids, to press for better conditions, a halt to strip searches, more access to telephones and more frequent family visits. There are more than 7,500 Palestinians in detention, about half of those for violence against Israelis. A prison service spokesman said that more than half of the 3,800 Palestinians in civilian jails were on a hunger strike. The Israeli minister for internal security, Tzahi Hanegbi, said: "As far as I'm concerned they can strike for a day, a month, until death. We will ward off this strike." [more ]

• Israeli Prisons Consider Barbecues to Break Up Palestinian Hunger Strike [more ]