Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups voiced concern on Tuesday over the condition of a Palestinian who began a hunger strike 79 days ago against his detention without charge by Israel.
Maher Al-Akhras, 49, is now in an Israeli hospital suffering from heart pain and convulsions and has slipped occasionally into a coma, his wife said.
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A resident of Jenin, Akhras was taken into custody in July under an Israeli administrative detention order.
The Shin Bet security agency said Akhras had been detained after it received information that he was an operative with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. His wife has denied that allegation.
Three weeks ago, Akhras was moved to Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot, where he has been drinking water but refusing solid food, according to his family.
At the hospital, Akhras's wife, Taghreed, told Reuters that he would continue the hunger strike for his immediate release despite a decision on Monday by the Supreme Court not to extend his four-month detention term beyond Nov. 26.
"The responsibility for what happens next lies with those who can prevent his further deterioration and even death," Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, which is monitoring the case, said in a statement.
"They can still stop this from happening."
Taghreed al-Akhras said her husband, too weak to leave his bed, was not handcuffed in the hospital, and there were no guards visible near his room.
The Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights called on international rights groups to intervene immediately to "save the life of Akhras before it is too late."
In Gaza, terrorists linked to Islamic Jihad announced they had resumed launching incendiary balloons into Israel. A poster with Akhras's picture and the words "our patience is running out" were attached.
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