Israeli occupation to deport prisoner to Egypt

Israeli occupation authorities decided to deport 35-year-old hunger striker prisoner Samer al-Barq to Egypt, Palestinian Minister of Prisoners Affairs Issa Qaraqe has announced. According to Palestinian news agency (WAFA), Qaraqe indicated Monday the release was based on his request and Israel agreed after his health deteriorated, adding that Israel did not specify any date despite him being on strike since May 22. According to the PA minister, Israel had previously agreed to deport al-Barq but a host country could not be found. The hunger striking prisoner is married to a Pakistani citizen and had previously expressed a desire to be released to the country, Qaraqe added. Occupation authorities arrested Al-Barq at Al Karama border crossing while returning from Pakistan in November 2010. He is a resident of the West Bank city of Qalqilya. Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad held the Israeli government responsible for the lives of prisoners on hunger strike, particularly in light of their deteriorating health conditions, and demanded their immediate release. In addition to al-Barq, Hassan Safadi has been on renewed hunger strike for 88 days and Ayman Sharawna has refused food for 78 days.