Press TV- Israeli forces have attacked a number of Palestinians in the West Bank town of Sabastiya near the northeastern city of Nablus who were staging a sit-in to show solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners kept in harsh conditions in Israeli jails.

Local media sources reported on Monday that Israeli troops opened fire on the Palestinians, who had staged the sit-in during the night, targeting them with live ammunition.


[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"] This image shows the tents on fire in the West Bank town of Sabastiya near Nablus. The tents had been set up by people to show their support for hunger-striking prisoners in Israeli jails.[/caption]
Several of the tents that had been set up by the demonstrators were torched by Israeli forces.

After the initial raid, Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian youths and destroyed several cars that had been parked near the location of the sit-in.

Palestinians have been taking part in numerous sit-in protests in the occupied West Bank to show their support for the inmates who have staged an open-ended hunger strike in Israeli jails.

More than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners from various political factions launched a mass hunger strike more than two weeks ago in protest at their dire conditions in Israeli jails.


[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"] In this file photo, Palestinian prisoners walk at the yard of the Israeli prison of Megiddo. (Photo by AFP)[/caption]
The inmates on hunger strike seek better access to medical care, an increase in visit duration from 45 to 90 minutes, the installation of phones to enable prisoners to stay in touch with their families, and an end to “administrative detentions,” among other things.

The practice of “administrative detention” involves holding Palestinian prisoners for renewable periods of detention without charge or trial.