Israel releases Palestinian prisoner, repeat hunger striker Khader Adnan

Prominent Palestinian prisoner and hunger striker Khader Adnan was released from an Israeli prison late Saturday.

According to witnesses, the Israeli authorities delivered Adnan to the village of Arraba, his hometown, near the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

“He was released amid heavy [Israeli] security to prevent any celebrations of his release,” eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency.

In June, Adnan, 37, ended a 55-day hunger strike after reaching an agreement with the Israeli authorities for his release.

Adnan was arrested by Israel in July of last year at an Israeli army checkpoint near Jenin.

Adnan – who had been arrested by Israel on a number of previous occasions and has waged several earlier hungers strikes while in detention – began his latest hunger strike on 5 May to protest his continued incarceration under Israel’s policy of administrative detention.

“My son is exhausted after his long hunger strike, but now he can take comfort in freedom and victory,” Adnan’s father, Adnan Musa, 75, told Anadolu Agency.

“What’s most important now is that he’s back with his family and people,” Musa said.

Following his release, Adnan was taken to a hospital in Jenin for a medical checkup and later was greeted by his relatives and supporters, including men who had made t-shirts with Adnan's photo.

A Quds News Network video released on Facebook on Sunday morning showed the 37-year-old baker hugging his family and being lifted into the air onto the shoulders of his supporters.

Under Israel’s policy of administrative detention, Palestinian prisoners can be held for up to one year without trial.

Over 6,500 Palestinians are currently languishing in prisons throughout Israel, according to official Palestinian figures.