Palestinian hunger strikers ‘close to death’

Two Palestinian prisoners who helped launch a mass hunger strike in Israeli jails are reported to be close to dying.

Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahla of Islamic Jihad, which rejects Israel’s existence, with have been fasting for 74 days.

Their case inspired hundreds of other Palestinians to protest against conditions in Israeli prisons.

An estimated 1,600 inmates launched a hunger strike on April 17th to demand better treatment.

They want an end to solitary confinement and more family visits.

The protesters also oppose Israel’s policy of indefinitely detaining suspected Palestinian militants without charge.

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