Palestinian activists in Gaza rallied in support of cancer-stricken prisoner Walid Daqqa, hunger-striking prisoner Khader Adnan, and thousands of other prisoners currently held in Israeli prisons.
The rally was held in front of the Red Cross headquarters in Gaza City.
The rally was followed by a sit-in, where activists carried placards and photos of Daqqa, Adnan, and others.
Like Daqqa, Adnan is facing what prisoners’ support groups describe as ‘imminent death’ due to his deteriorating health following his hunger strike, which, as of today, completes 80 days.
During the solidarity stand, the participants released a flock of carrier pigeons as a message of freedom and in support of the Palestinian captives.
In February, Daqqa suffered a stroke that was caused by a blood clot, according to the rights group.
Daqqa is one of the most prominent and longtime Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. While in prison, he has written several books, including a children’s one.
In 1999, Daqqa got married while behind bars. Along with his wife, Sana Salameh, he welcomed a daughter – Milad – in 2020, conceived after his sperm was smuggled out of prison.
“The dream of having Milad one day has been with us for 20 years. We even named her before her birth,” Salameh, said in 2021.