Palestinians 'pause hunger strike

Palestinian prisoners in Israel's Ashkelon jail are said to have suspended their hunger strike after some of their demands were met. The concessions made by the prison governor affect only those in Ashkelon, a prisoners' association said. Earlier on Friday, the UN envoy to the region, Terje Roed-Larsen, urged Israel and the prisoners to end the strike. He reminded Israel of its obligations under international law to provide for the protection of detainees. The hunger strike is now into its thirteenth day. Prisoners are demanding mandatory visiting rights, better sanitary conditions, public telephones and an end to strip searches. [more ] and [more ]