A PALESTINIAN WOMAN who is holding a hunger strike protests against her detention in Israel without formal charges or a trial is in serious danger of dying, according to Physicians for Human Rights Israel.

The medical group says that Hana Shalabi, 30, has lost 14 kilos (31 pounds) and is in serious pain after starting her hunger strike last month.

Shalabi, reportedly a supporter of the militant Islamic Jihad group, is being held under administrative detention for four months. She has only taken water since her arrest on 16 February and prison officials say she is being monitored at a prison clinic.

YNet News reports that the Israeli prison service’s ethics committee have decided not to intervene in Shalabi’s protest by force-feeding her.

A Palestinian prisoner whose life was reportedly in danger after he refused food for 66 days agreed to end his hunger strike on 21 February after Israeli authorities agreed a deal for his release on 17 April after four months of detention.

Khader Adnan, 33, was also protesting against his detention without trial or formal charges.

Under administrative detention Israeli authorities can hold prisoners without charge or trial for up to six months and the detention periods can be renewed. Amnesty International has called on Israel to end the practice, saying it violates a prisoner’s right to a fair trial.