Abbas asks Clinton to intervene on behalf of hunger strikers

Palestinian PM Mahmoud Abbas asked US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to intervene on behalf of the Palestinian hunger strikers in Israeli jails Saturday, Israel Radio reported.

Some 1,600 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails are on hunger strike to demand better conditions and to put an end to detention without trial.

Egyptian mediators are reportedly trying to work out a solution with Israelis and Palestinians to end the strike, Palestinian officials said. An Israeli official confirmed talks were taking place but would not elaborate.

The officials requested anonymity, because of the matter’s sensitivity. Egyptian officials weren’t immediately available for comment, but Israel Radio reported Palestinian officials as saying that a breakthrough was imminent.

The Egyptian-brokered talks mark the first time that substantive negotiations have been reported to be under way to defuse the protest since it began weeks, and in some cases months, ago.

Two men, Thaer Halahleh and Bilal Diab, have been on strike for more than 70 days. Both are members of Islamic Jihad, a violent Palestinian terror group that has killed hundreds and maimed many more in suicide bombings, shootings and other attacks.

It is not clear whether Halhaleh and Diab were involved in any terror activity because they are being held under “administrative detention,” a policy that can keep some Palestinian prisoners in custody for months — even years — without charges. Israel has defended administrative detentions as a necessary tool to stop terror activity.

According to prison officials, at least 1,600 of the 4,600 Palestinians held by Israel are refusing food. Palestinians say about 2,500 prisoners are taking part in the hunger strike.

Israel is hesitant to clinch a deal with the prisoners, fearing it will encourage more strikes. Many of the Palestinians striking have been convicted of involvement in deadly attacks against civilians.

Israel’s Prisons Service says the striking Palestinians are under constant medical supervision and are in stable condition. The High Court has given the state until Tuesday to respond to a petition that would require hunger-strikers to be transferred to a civilian hospital after refusing food for six weeks.