Concern about deteriorating health of Palestinian detainees hospitalized in Israel

Jerusalem (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is concerned about the deteriorating health of Anas Shadid and Ahmad Abu Farra, who have been hospitalized in Israel. The two Palestinian detainees have been on hunger strike for more than 50 days.

"At this critical time, we urge the patients, their representatives and the competent authorities to find a solution that will avoid any loss of life or irreversible damage to the detainees' health," said Dr Hishal, an ICRC medical doctor who has regularly visited the detainees on hunger strike.

ICRC delegates and medical staff continue to visit Anas Shadid and Ahmad Abu Farra in order to monitor their medical condition and their treatment by the prison and medical authorities, as per international rules and ethical standards, specifically the 1991 World Medical Association Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers. The ICRC is in close contact with their families and keeps them informed of developments, in accordance with the detainees' wishes, as well as transmitting personal news between them and their loved ones.

During their regular visits to detention facilities, ICRC staff seek to ensure that all detainees on hunger strike are treated humanely in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention, are fully aware of the implications of their decision, and are acting on their own initiative and of their own free will.

For further information, please contact:
Jesus Serrano Redondo, ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 91 50
Nadia Dibsy, ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 91 48