Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have been engaged in a fierce conflict with the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) since tension began mounting Aug. 3 when prisoners started refusing their meals, Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, said Aug. 9.
This most recent hunger strike came in protest of a campaign against the prisoners launched by Metzada, which is affiliated with IPS. Metzada is transferring some prisoners and isolating others, while raiding and inspecting their cells. Metzada also began searching for smuggled mobile phones and succeeded in confiscating dozens of phones and SIM cards.