DAYS OF PALESTINE – JERUSALEM

The family of Palestinian detainee, Hisham Abu Hawash, said on Thursday that their son was infected with COVID-19 in the Israeli Assaf Harofeh Hospital, and he is suffering from severe symptoms.

Hisham is receiving treatment in the Israeli hospital, after starting a hunger strike that lasted 141 days, in rejection to his administrative detention, before suspending the strike last week.

“The occupation deliberately transmitted “Corona” virus to him while he was in the “Asaf Harofeh” hospital, they ARE trying to kill him before releasing him.” Imad Abu Hawash, Hisham’s brother, said to Shehab News Agency.

He added that Hisham has been suffering from severe headaches and back pain since Wednesday, warning that his health is deteriorating.

Abu Hawash held Assaf Harofeh Hospital responsible for his brother’s condition, as it did not take any special care measures for him, due to his low immunity because of the strike.

On 5 January, Hisham suspended an open hunger strike in Israeli prisons, which lasted 141 days, to protest against his administrative detention, after reaching an agreement to release him on 26 February.

The prisoner, Abu Hawash, is a father of five children. He is from the town of Dura, west of Hebron city in the south of West Bank. He was arrested on 27 October 2020, and transferred to administrative detention (without charge, and it may reach up to six months with possibility of extension).

A few days ago, the Palestinian Society Prisoner’s Club (PPSMO) (Independent) announced that 15 prisoners had been infected with COVID-19, including seven female prisoners.

The number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in occupation prisons up to the end of last December reached about 4600, including about 500 administrative prisoners, 34 female prisoners and 160 minors, according to institutions working on prisoners’ affairs.