By Nidal al–Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters – A Palestinian prisoner ended a hunger strike on Tuesday that lasted almost five months, after Israel refused to prolong his detention. His family and Palestinian officials claimed, but Israeli officials have not confirmed that a deal was made.

Hisham Abu Hawash (40) was detained by Israel in Oct 2020. He began a hunger strike to protest his indefinite detention.

A security officer in Israel spoke on condition anonymity and described him as an agent of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He said that he had been “arrested because he participated in terrorist activities”.

Abu Hawash was admitted to the hospital in December. Abu Hawash was hospitalized in December after the Islamic Jihad threatened attacks on Israel if he dies. This raises concerns about renewed violence following an 11-day conflict in May between Israel militants in Gaza and Israel.

“We congratulate Abu Hawash, the free man,” said Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister. He posted it on Twitter (NYSE 🙂 “for his liberation by force of his own will.”

Jawad Bolos, Abu Hawash’s lawyer said Israel has agreed to end his detention after February 26, Officials from the Palestinian Authority said that Egypt assisted in brokering the agreement. To celebrate, dozens gathered in front of Abu Hawash’s house in Hebron, an occupied West Bank town.

Abu Hawash was understood by his family.

Spokespeople from the Israeli Prime Minster Naftali Bennett and Shin Bet national security agency did not comment immediately.

Abu Hawash, one of the hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli “administrative Detention”, where militant activity suspects are allowed to be detained for up 60 days. A court can extend this time limit.

Israel claims that such precautions are necessary to stop violence when there is not enough evidence or risk of exposing secret informants.

It has been criticized by the United Nations, European Union, and rights groups.