This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/27/world/middleeast/palestinian-hunger-strike.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Palestinian to End Hunger Strike After Israel Agrees to Free Him by May Palestinian to End Hunger Strike After Israel Agrees to Free Him by May
(about 5 hours later)
RAMALLAH, West Bank — A Palestinian man who has been on a hunger strike for over 90 days to protest his indefinite incarceration by Israel without known charges agreed on Friday to end his fast, his lawyer said, after a deal was reached to release him by late May.RAMALLAH, West Bank — A Palestinian man who has been on a hunger strike for over 90 days to protest his indefinite incarceration by Israel without known charges agreed on Friday to end his fast, his lawyer said, after a deal was reached to release him by late May.
The man, Mohammad al-Qeeq, 33, a correspondent for a regional Arabic-language television network, is the most recent of several Palestinians who have gone on hunger strike in response to administrative detention, a contentious tactic that allows the authorities in Israeli to detain people for renewable six-month periods without identifying the charges against them.The man, Mohammad al-Qeeq, 33, a correspondent for a regional Arabic-language television network, is the most recent of several Palestinians who have gone on hunger strike in response to administrative detention, a contentious tactic that allows the authorities in Israeli to detain people for renewable six-month periods without identifying the charges against them.
The fast by Mr. Qeeq, who is married with two children, has lasted longer than most. He has refused to accept medical care as well as food, and he is now a skeletal figure who hovers in and out of consciousness.The fast by Mr. Qeeq, who is married with two children, has lasted longer than most. He has refused to accept medical care as well as food, and he is now a skeletal figure who hovers in and out of consciousness.
Hanan al-Khatib, a lawyer for Mr. Qeeq, said his client had agreed to end his hunger strike after Israeli officials said they would not renew his administrative detention after the current one ends on May 21.Hanan al-Khatib, a lawyer for Mr. Qeeq, said his client had agreed to end his hunger strike after Israeli officials said they would not renew his administrative detention after the current one ends on May 21.
As part of the deal, Mr. Qeeq agreed to receive medical treatment while in custody, and he will remain in an Israeli hospital until he recovers. Mr. Qeeq, a resident of Ramallah in the West Bank, had been demanding a transfer to a Palestinian hospital.As part of the deal, Mr. Qeeq agreed to receive medical treatment while in custody, and he will remain in an Israeli hospital until he recovers. Mr. Qeeq, a resident of Ramallah in the West Bank, had been demanding a transfer to a Palestinian hospital.
The reasons for Mr. Qeeq’s detention are unclear, but he has expressed support for the numerous attacks against Israelis that have occurred since October, many involving young Palestinians stabbing, or attempting to stab, citizens and security forces with knives and scissors.The reasons for Mr. Qeeq’s detention are unclear, but he has expressed support for the numerous attacks against Israelis that have occurred since October, many involving young Palestinians stabbing, or attempting to stab, citizens and security forces with knives and scissors.
The Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, said Mr. Qeeq was detained for trying to advance “terrorist activity.” In a statement released Friday, the agency said Mr. Qeeq had previously been arrested in connection to Hamas activities and described him as a known extremist who praised and incited attacks.
The Shin Bet said it had agreed to release him because of his deteriorating health.
Detention orders, which Israel says are necessary in some security-related cases to protect intelligence sources, have been used to hold hundreds of Palestinians and a handful of Israelis.Detention orders, which Israel says are necessary in some security-related cases to protect intelligence sources, have been used to hold hundreds of Palestinians and a handful of Israelis.
The practice received global attention last year when Mohammad Allan, a lawyer and member of the Islamic Jihad militant group, tried to pressure the Israeli government to free him by nearly starving himself to death.The practice received global attention last year when Mohammad Allan, a lawyer and member of the Islamic Jihad militant group, tried to pressure the Israeli government to free him by nearly starving himself to death.
The Israeli Supreme Court approved Mr. Allan’s release in August because of his failing health, but he was rearrested in September after being released from a hospital.The Israeli Supreme Court approved Mr. Allan’s release in August because of his failing health, but he was rearrested in September after being released from a hospital.
Mr. Qeeq was initially detained in November, and he was held under administrative detention in December.Mr. Qeeq was initially detained in November, and he was held under administrative detention in December.
The Israeli authorities have been grappling with how to deal with Palestinians who use hunger strikes to protest their detention, and lawmakers passed a bill on July 30 that allows for the force-feeding of prisoners in extreme circumstances.The Israeli authorities have been grappling with how to deal with Palestinians who use hunger strikes to protest their detention, and lawmakers passed a bill on July 30 that allows for the force-feeding of prisoners in extreme circumstances.
The Israeli Medical Association, which has described the force-feeding of hunger strikers as torture, has refused to cooperate, and that course of action was not seriously pursued in Mr. Qeeq’s case.The Israeli Medical Association, which has described the force-feeding of hunger strikers as torture, has refused to cooperate, and that course of action was not seriously pursued in Mr. Qeeq’s case.
Some officials have said that giving in to hunger strikers would encourage more prisoners to begin extreme fasts, but that allowing prisoners to die would almost certainly draw international condemnation and could lead to more violence between Israelis and Palestinians.Some officials have said that giving in to hunger strikers would encourage more prisoners to begin extreme fasts, but that allowing prisoners to die would almost certainly draw international condemnation and could lead to more violence between Israelis and Palestinians.