Egypt pressing Israel over demands of Palestinian prisoners

Number of activists on hunger strike in solidarity with prisoners Gaza – Mohammed Habib A senior Egyptian source disclosed that intensive efforts have been made by  Egypt for more than two weeks in order to pressure Israel to meet the demands of hunger strikers now on their 19th day of refusing food Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medical sources said on Wednesday that four hunger strikers have been transferred to hospitals  after collapsing due to the deteriorating state of their health.
The 4 have been named as  Amal Abu Subaitan (40 years old), Ahmed Shahwan (40 years old), Fatieh Khalaf Allah (50 years old), Salah Abu Samaan (35 years old), the sources added.
The Egyptian source, under condition of anonymity, said that Egypt will not remain silent about the suffering of Palestinian prisoners or ignore their rights, stressing that it (Egypt) would enter into a dialogue with other Arab as well as international countries, to force Israel to meet the prisoners' demands.
Palestinian prisoners are deliberating over an Israeli offer that may bring an end to a mass prison hunger strike, Minister of Palestinian Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, Issa Qaraqe said.
Qaraqe added that the Israeli offer was made on Saturday, after 10 of the hunger striking prisoners were placed under medical supervision on account of fast-related ailments.
The 10 men are among 1500 to 2500 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike demanding better conditions and an end to detention without trial.
Most of the strikers began refusing food 19 days ago, but a smaller core have been striking for longer, from periods of time ranging from 40 to almost 70 days.
Another prisoner, Bilal Diab, was moved to a civilian hospital last week. He has refused food for 68 days so far.
The prisoners’ chief demands are to put an end to imprisonment without charge for periods ranging from months to years, through a system called administrative detention.
They are also demanding an end to solitary confinement, and reinstating family visits from Gaza. They also have lesser demands, such as being allowed to take a photo with their families once a year, instead of just once during their prison term.
Jamal al-Rjoob, a representative for Fatah prisoners, said that roughly half of the concessions offered by Israel’s prison service were approved by prisoners, including: approving visits of family members from Gaza, restoring satellite television channels that were withdrawn, increased canteen rights and improved canteen conditions as well as transfer of sick prisoners by ambulance instead of military vehicles.
Rjoob said the demand to pursue university education is still being discussed.