Jailed Palestinian hungerstriker hospitalized

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Jailed Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq was taken to an Israeli hospital on Wednesday following a sharp deterioration of his health after 17 days on hunger strike.

"Mohammed is reportedly in critical condition," Fayha Shalash, al-Qeeq’s wife, told Anadolu Agency.

"We were told he had been taken to Ramlah Hospital early this morning," she said.

Nevertheless, she added, "the family fears he is facing worsening conditions".

Al-Qeeq was arrested last month at a checkpoint near the West Bank city of Ramallah on charges of “inciting violence”.

In May of last year, al-Qeeq was released from Israeli custody after waging a 94-day hunger strike to protest his detention.

Under Israel's policy of "administrative detention", prisoners can be held for up to one year without trial or charge.

According to official Palestinian figures, over 7,000 Palestinians are now languishing in Israeli prisons, roughly 700 of whom are being held in administrative detention.