Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are waging a mass hunger strike for the third consecutive day Wednesday to protest their dire detention conditions.
The mass hunger strike which started as of April 17 comes in response to the mistreatment Palestinians have been subjected to in Israeli lock-ups.
Some 1500 prisoners joined the hunger strike to speak up against the Israeli visit-bans medical neglect solitary confinement and administrative detention.
The hunger strike follow-up committee warned of a series of punitive measures opted for by the Israeli prison service (IPS) so as to crack down on the detainees and force them to throw in the towel.
According to the committee lawyers have been banned from visiting the hunger strikers to document the violations perpetrated in Israeli jails.
IPS in Jalama lock-up prevented lawyer Jawad Boulos from visiting prisoners Marwan al-Barghouthi and Nasser Aweis who were transferred from Hadarim jail on the first day of the hunger strike.
IPS further banned the lawyers from visiting the hunger strikers in Ofer and Gilboa prisons.
IPS further subjected the hunger strikers in Ofer jail to strip searches and robbed them of all their belongings except for the prison uniforms and dirty blankets.
A number of sick detainees held in the Israeli Ashkelon jail also joined the mass hunger strike. In response to the move IPS seized their clothes blankets and electric kit.
Reports have meanwhile emerged on the transfer of 80 prisoners from Hadarim prison to Nafha and Ashkelon lock-ups.
The lawyers announced their decision to boycott the Israeli courts starting Wednesday.
