Palestine Hunger Strike: Prisoners Pause Amid Health Concerns

Published: 24 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Two Palestine Action-affiliated prisoners have temporarily paused their hunger strike after prolonged protests, citing worsening health conditions, though they insist they will resume their protest in the coming year. Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib began eating again after 48 and 49 days respectively, according to a statement released by the Prisoners for Palestine group on Tuesday evening. The pair are among eight detainees facing charges linked to alleged break-ins or criminal damage on behalf of Palestine Action, which was banned under UK terrorism legislation in July, charges that the prisoners deny and have demanded to be dropped.

Zuhrah and Gib are being held on remand at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. The decision to pause came amid serious concerns over their health, with allegations that Zuhrah was denied ambulance access for more than 18 hours. The claim sparked protests outside the prison, attended by Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, although Ministry of Justice officials have denied any mistreatment. Despite the temporary halt, four other prisoners—Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, and Lewie Chiaramello—remain on hunger strike, continuing their demands for changes within the prison system.

Zuhrah, 20, issued a defiant statement, warning the government that the pause is temporary and emphasizing the group’s intention to resume protests in the New Year if their demands are ignored. She criticized government policies, accusing officials of supporting acts she described as genocidal. Gib, 30, echoed these sentiments, highlighting a lifelong commitment to resistance and justice, refusing to observe traditional holiday celebrations as a form of protest.

The remaining hunger strikers issued updated demands, including the transfer of Muraisi back to HMP Bronzefield from HMP New Hall in West Yorkshire and the removal of non-association orders that limit prisoner interaction. They also requested access to educational courses and activities on par with those available to sentenced prisoners, citing extended remand periods exceeding the typical six-month legal limit. Prisoners for Palestine stressed that such orders, along with distant transfers, exacerbate isolation and disconnect prisoners from family and social support networks.

Earlier this month, two other detainees, Jon Cink and Umer Khalid, ended their hunger strikes after 41 and 13 days, respectively, due to severe health concerns. Both were admitted to hospital and later discharged back to prison. Lord Timpson, the minister for prisons, probation, and reducing reoffending, acknowledged the situation but emphasized that hunger strikes are not a new occurrence in UK prisons. He affirmed that healthcare teams continuously monitor and provide NHS treatment to prisoners, denying claims that hospital care is being withheld.

The minister also highlighted that the prisoners face serious charges, including aggravated burglary and criminal damage, and that remand decisions are determined by independent judges. Timpson reiterated that ministers cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings, citing the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary as essential to the justice system. Despite official reassurances, advocates maintain that ongoing hunger strikes and prisoner health concerns warrant closer attention to detention conditions and fair treatment.

As the situation evolves, attention remains on both the wellbeing of the prisoners and the broader implications of hunger strikes as a method of protest within the UK prison system. Analysts suggest that these events underline longstanding tensions surrounding remand policies, prisoner rights, and governmental accountability in responding to politically sensitive cases. The temporary cessation of the hunger strike may offer a window for dialogue or negotiation, yet the strikers’ warnings suggest that the pause is only a brief respite in a protracted struggle.

Observers note that the protest highlights complex questions about the balance between maintaining prison security, ensuring healthcare access, and respecting lawful dissent. It also raises ethical debates regarding the treatment of politically motivated prisoners, particularly those detained on remand for extended periods without conviction. International human rights advocates continue to monitor developments closely, pointing out that extended hunger strikes carry severe risks of irreversible harm if their demands remain unmet.

Within the UK, the situation has drawn attention from lawmakers, activists, and media outlets, generating discussions about the transparency of prison healthcare and the accountability of the Ministry of Justice. While ministers stress adherence to legal frameworks, the prisoners’ statements underline deep distrust toward government responses, emphasizing perceived inconsistencies between policy and practice. The evolving circumstances indicate that any resolution will likely require careful negotiation, balancing legal obligations with humanitarian concerns, and addressing broader political tensions surrounding the case.

The case of Zuhrah, Gib, and their fellow strikers demonstrates how individual acts of protest can reverberate through national discourse, highlighting both the vulnerabilities of detainees and the challenges faced by authorities in upholding justice while ensuring humane treatment. With the New Year approaching, observers anticipate whether resumed hunger strikes will prompt renewed negotiations or intensify scrutiny of prison policies. The strikers’ unwavering stance suggests that public attention and institutional responsiveness will remain central to the unfolding narrative, shaping discourse around political protest, prisoner welfare, and systemic accountability in UK correctional facilities.