UPDATE: 51 days into their hunger strike, Amu Gib and Qesser Zuhrah are in critical condition, sparking urgent calls for a government intervention. The young activists, part of the Palestine Action group, began their hunger strike on November 2 to protest alleged mistreatment and demand their rights within the UK prison system.
The situation has escalated dramatically today as Gib and fellow hunger striker Kamran Ahmed were rushed to the hospital due to deteriorating health. Zuhrah was already hospitalized. The remaining six hunger strikers, all held on remand, are awaiting trial for charges relating to their protests against the Israeli weapons manufacturer, Elbit Systems. Each prisoner denies the charges, which stem from events that took place prior to the group’s proscription on July 5.
Supporters, including MPs and human rights advocates, are alarmed at the refusal of Justice Secretary David Lammy to meet with the hunger strikers or their legal representatives. They seek discussions on pressing demands: ending censorship in prisons, immediate bail, the right to a fair trial, the de-proscription of Palestine Action, and closure of Elbit Systems facilities in the UK.
Despite widespread concern for the strikers’ health, the government maintains that ministerial intervention would undermine judicial independence. Prisons minister James Timpson emphasized, “It would be entirely unconstitutional and inappropriate for ministers to intervene in ongoing legal cases.” This stance, however, is drawing criticism as the hunger strike approaches a critical juncture; medical experts warn that extending a hunger strike beyond 35 days significantly increases the risk of severe health complications or even death.
The group has garnered attention from leftist politicians, with Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana among those publicly supporting the hunger strikers. Corbyn visited Gib on December 9 and condemned the extended trial date of January 2027 as “cruel and unusual punishment.” In a collaborative effort, Corbyn and 50 other MPs signed an open letter urging Lammy to engage with the strikers’ legal team.
As the political pressure mounts, the government faces a challenging dilemma. Public support for the hunger strikers is growing, and the potential for a tragic outcome increases daily. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated; the health of the strikers is rapidly declining, and their fate hangs in the balance.
The coming days will be critical as advocates continue to push for dialogue and resolution. The hunger strikers remain resolute, determined to draw attention to their cause, even as they confront the dire consequences of their protest. The eyes of the nation—and beyond—are now firmly fixed on this unfolding crisis.
