The Israel Prisons Service on Wednesday denied reports that a female prisoner on hunger strike since mid-February is on the verge of death, saying that she has received treatment and is stable.
IPS Spokeswoman Sivan Weitzman said that she was told by staff at Meir Hospital in Kfar Sava that Hana Shalabi, 30 is in no danger of dying. She also said that Shalabi has been on hunger strike for only 31 days, rather than the 35 stated by Shalabi's supporters.Weizman added that there are around 23 prisoners in Israeli jails who are on hunger strike at the moment. She said that most of them have been on strike for around two weeks and are doing so in solidarity with Shalabi.
Shalabi has been variously described as a supporter and a member of the group Islamic Jihad in the West Bank.
