Shikma jail security prisoners end water-only fast

[Gimel]

Hunger-striking security prisoners at Shikma prison in Ashkelon have broken their two-week fast and begun drinking milk and juice, in exchange for promises by the Prisons Service to meet some of their demands, according to reports by prisoners to the committee following the strike, and a prisoner's statement by telephone to Haaretz.

However, Prisons Service officials denied that an agreement had been reached, "nor had there been, or will be, any negotiation or compromise on issues of prison security and state security. All reports from Ramallah about surrender or compromise are made-up," a spokesman said, adding that Shikma Prison's 350 security prisoners stopped their strike on Friday with no prior conditions being met.

But according to prisoners, Shikma authorities were to cease nude body searches, improve the food and give prisoners more yard time. Demands to remove the glass partition between prisoners and visitors and use of a pay phone were not met. Prisoners said their radios and televisions had been returned to them, and they were allowed into the exercise yard on Saturday.

According to an informal understanding, negotiations between prisoners and the authorities will begin tomorrow on prisoners' demands, at which time they will be allowed to make phone calls to fasting prisoners in other jails.

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Well, they got their radios and tv's back, and they are taking some nourishment. Guess the situation isn't that bad after all.