Palestinian hunger striker breaks fast

Former soccer player Mahmoud Sarsak taking nourishment after nearly 80-day strike; Israel agrees to review case

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian official says a prisoner held by Israel has agreed to ease his hunger strike, and his life is no longer in danger.

Qadoura Fares, who heads a prisoners rights group, says Mahmoud Sarsak, 25, a former player with the Palestinian national soccer team, agreed to take nourishment Monday after a more than 80-day hunger strike. The Gaza man has been held without charge since 2009 and is demanding to be released.

Fares said Sarsak agreed to drink milk for 72 hours while Israel reviews the case. Israel’s prison service said Sarsak was no longer fasting.

Israeli authorities claim Sarsak was involved in militant activity, including the training and recruiting of militants and producing explosives.

Palestinian prisoners ended a mass hunger strike last month, but Sarsak held out.