West Bank: 103-Day Hunger Strike Ends

The longest-ever Palestinian hunger strike has ended after 103 days in exchange for Israel’s pledge that it would release the protesting prisoner five months early, said Kadoura Fares, the leader of a Palestinian advocacy group for prisoners. Sivan Weizman of the Israel Prison Authority confirmed that the prisoner, Akram Rikhawi, ended his hunger strike on Monday. Mr. Rikhawi, 39, stopped eating on April 12 and demanded to be released on medical grounds; he is said to be suffering from asthma and diabetes. Mr. Rikhawi is serving a nine-year sentence for transporting suicide bombers. His official release date is next June. Mr. Fares said that in exchange for ending the strike, Mr. Rikhawi would be released in January.