LOC13:38
10:38 GMT
RAMALLAH, May 5 (KUNA) -- The Israeli occupation forces is considering bringing doctors from abroad to force-feed Palestinian prisoners participating in an ongoing (19 days) hunger strike, Israeli local reports said Friday.
Israeli Channel 2 news reported the plan is expected to generate fierce legal and ethical opposition, and is being currently weighed by Israeli Health Ministry.
The discussion comes amid further reports that prisoners who are members of Hamas have also joined the strike that has until now been mostly carried out by Fatah party members.
Although Israeli legislation allows for the forced feeding of prisoners, the Israeli Medical Association has barred its members from doing so.
Israel is worried that as the protest continue, the courts will force the prison authority to release the hunger strikers due to health concerns, as it has done in the past.
Israeli forces for a range of so-called "offenses and crimes" detain some 6,500 Palestinians.
Around 500 are being held under Israel's system of administrative detention, which allows for imprisonment without charge. (end)
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