Quoted by The Jerusalem Post, Thabet Mardawi, a veteran PIJ prisoner, warned of the intensification of the struggle if Israel does not comply with the prisoners’ demands.

The aim of the strike is to denounce the punitive measures implemented by the Israel Prison Service (IPS).

Following the escape of six Palestinian prisoners from Gilboa high-security jail on September 6, the IPS clamped down on prisons, particularly the members of Islamic Jihad, to which five of the escapees belonged.

In response to the Israeli measures, prisoners set fire to cells in Ramon, Ofer and Kzi’ot prisons.

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