Some 4,500 Palestinian security prisoners held in Israel began what may propel into a hunger strike Sunday, by refusing their breakfasts in unison.

The measure was taken in protest of the Saturday death of Palestinian prisoner Arafat Jardat, 39, apparently of cardiac arrest, at the Megiddo Prison.

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News of the "breakfast strike" came as Palestinian sources reported that hundreds of Palestinians were rioting in various villages across the West Bank over Jardat's death.

Rioters stoned IDF forces trying to maintain order. Security forces used crowd-control measures in an effort to stop the protestors from blocking nearby Highway 60.





Riot in Khusra

Israel has reportedly relayed a communiqué to the Palestinian Authority, via Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant Attorney Yitzhak Molcho, demanding it take all necessary measure to calm the situation on the ground.

Netanyahu also ordered the Treasury to release January tax revenue held by Israel to the PA.

Palestinian sources, however, said that the Palestinian prisoners intend to refuse all their meals throughout the day.

The Israel Prison Service noted that prisoners are allowed to keep food in their cells, which they usually purchase in the prison canteen.

According to IPS regulations, the prisoners would have to refuse all meals for 48 hours for the measure to be recognized as a full-fledged hunger strike.





( Photo: EPA)

Meanwhile, the Doctors for Human Rights group requested the Shin Bet's permission to examine the four Palestinian security prisoners who have been hospitalized over their extended hunger strike.

The organization said that the Shin Bet has yet to respond to the request.

Itamar Fleishman and Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to this report

You can contact Elior Levy, Ynet's Palestinian Affairs Correspondent, at:

paldesk@gmail.com

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