The families of four Palestine Action activists have told Sky News their resolve remains unbroken, despite severe health deteriorations, after four fellow detainees paused their hunger strikes.
Determination Amid Hospitalisations
Kamran Ahmad, 29, has been on remand at HMP Peterborough for 13 months and is now on day 45 of his hunger strike. During this period, he has been hospitalised three times. His sister, Shahmina Alam, stated that while his spirit is strong, he has begun developing physical twitches.
"The prison has moved him to cells closer to the nurse's station to ensure he's able to have his vitals managed and respond to any emergency situations," she said. "Kamran is still determined. He feels this is the only way to exercise his demands."
In a statement, HMP Peterborough said it could not comment on specific individuals but confirmed all prisoners are managed in line with national policies and procedures.
Severe Health Deterioration for Remaining Strikers
The eight individuals, all held on remand awaiting trial for alleged offences committed before the group's proscription, are demanding:
- The UK stops hosting weapons factories supplying arms to Israel.
- The removal of Palestine Action's designation as a terrorist group.
- Immediate bail for those on remand.
By the time of their trials, all will have spent over a year in custody.
Teuta Hoxha, on day 46 of her strike, has been on remand for 13 months. Her 17-year-old sister Rahma visited her on Wednesday and reported a shocking decline. "She's losing an enormous amount of weight. She showed me her arms and I can see her bones sticking out," Rahma said. "My sister is struggling to talk, has a constant headache and she's been having heart palpitations."
The other continuing strikers are Heba Muraisi and Lewie Chiaramello, who is type 1 diabetic and has been fasting every other day for 31 days.
Pauses Under Medical Supervision
Four detainees have recently suspended their action. Amy Gardiner-Gibson (Amu Gib) began eating again on Wednesday after 49 days without food. Qesser Zuhrah paused after 48 days, hinting she may resume in the new year. Umer Khalid and Jon Cink ended their strikes after 13 and 41 days respectively.
Palestine Action confirmed all pauses were conducted in hospital under medical supervision to prevent refeeding syndrome, a potentially fatal condition.
Lawyers for the hunger strikers are now considering legal action against the government, accusing it of failing to follow prison safety and hunger strike policies. The Ministry of Justice denies these accusations.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Ministers do not intervene in individual cases. Where individuals are on remand, doing so would risk prejudicing ongoing legal proceedings and undermine the independence of the justice system." They added that healthcare decisions are taken independently by NHS professionals.
