Jerusalem – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is seriously concerned about the deteriorating health of Mr. Kayed Nammoura (Fasfous) and Mr. Miqdad Qawasmeh, two Palestinians administratively detained and hospitalized in Israel.
“The ICRC doctor has been visiting both detainees, Kayed Nammoura (Fasfous) who has been on hunger strike for 82 days and Miqdad Qawasmeh who has been on hunger strike for 75 days, and closely monitoring their situation. We are concerned about potentially irreversible consequences of such prolonged hunger strike to their health and life,” said Robert Paterson, ICRC health delegate.
As a neutral humanitarian institution, the ICRC neither supports nor advocates against a hunger strike. ICRC staff monitor the situation of detainees who carry out hunger strikes to ensure that they are treated with respect, have access to adequate medical care and are allowed to maintain contact with their families. The most recent visit to Mr. Fasfous took place on 29 September and to Mr. Qawasmeh on 30 September. The ICRC is also following up the situation of five more detainees currently on hunger strike.
The ICRC encourages the competent authorities, the detainees, and their representatives to find a solution that will avoid a loss of life.