In Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, protests are continuing in support of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. On Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinian detainees refused meals in solidarity with four hunger-striking prisoners. Hundreds of people, meanwhile, rallied across the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, drawing fire from Israeli troops of tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. The prisoners include Samer Issawi, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 200 days, drinking only water. On Tuesday, an Israeli court ordered Issawi to remain behind bars indefinitely. His lawyer announced the decision.

Jawad Boulos: “The decision is to reject the appeal of the defense to release Samer immediately and to keep him behind bars until the last verdict, which will be given maybe in two weeks’ time.”

Issawi and another hunger-striking prisoner were initially released under the 2011 deal that freed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, only to be re-arrested and returned to an Israeli prison last year. Israel has refused to disclose the reasons for their re-arrest, and they could each face at least 20 more years behind bars.