Palestinian prisoner Halalha to be released

The Israeli Prison Administration has vowed to release hunger striking prisoner, Thaer Halahla, on Tuesday after almost a year of administrative detention along with the other prisoners who have been on an extended hunger strike with him protesting their imprisonment. The Israeli authorities made the decision according to an agreement with the hunger-striking prisoners and said they would not renew administrative detention orders issued against them, according to the International Middle East Media Centre (IMEMC). The Head of the Legal Unit of the Palestinian Prisoner Society (PPS), Jawad Boulos, who visited Halahla at Al-Ramlah prison hospital, said the prisoner was excited his release, which would represent all the hunger strikers' victory in "the battle of empty stomachs" as he described it. Halahla told Boulos he was also worried Israel would break its vow, saying: "I am worried they will renew the illegal detention order". The prisoner says he is a bit sad to leave his fellow prisoners but happy he will see his family, and his daughter who never seen him before, according to the Arabs48 News website. Israeli forces arrested Halahla on June 28, 2010, and remanded him pressing formal charges. Administrative detention is a controversial Israeli policy that allows unlimited renewal of detention without charge. Halalha and fellow prisoner went on a hunger strike along with fellow inmate Bilal Diab for 98 days. Their health had deteriorated sharply, sparking fears of a regional crisis when armed Palestinian groups vowed to take revenge if any of the prisoners died.