At a press conference in Gaza City today, hosted by the Palestinian Developmental Women’s Studies Association (PDWSA), a one-month campaign in support of hunger-striking Palestinian woman prisoner Hana Shalabi was launched.

Dr Marian Abu-Daqa, President of PDWSA, addressed the conference, which was attended by many women ex-prisoners, as well as representatives of Gaza’s women’s groups, and several political factions.

Dr Mariam Abu-Daqa addresses the Press Conference

Dr Abu Elsebah, Minister of Detainee Affairs in the Hamas Government, also addressed the meeting, saying that all of the Palestinian factions must work together for the release of Hana Shalabi, and all of the other Palestinian prisoners.

Dr Abu Elsebah, Minister of Detainee Affairs

Dr Mariam explained that the event had two purposes, the first to celebrate International Women’s Day, which all of the Gazan women’s group could not attend on 08 March because of the Israeli attacks.

The second purpose is to launch one month of activities in support of Hana Shalabi, which will finish on 17 April, now recognised internationally as Palestinian Prisoners’ Day.

Women ex-prisoners

She also advised that on Monday 19 March Gazan women ex-prisoners will hold a day-long fast outside the International Red Cross in Gaza on Monday 19 March, where a sit-in has been established for several weeks now in support of the demands for Hana Shalabi’s release.

Hana Shalabi’s medical condition is continuing to deteriorate, and according to a report in Ma’an News, she is now unable to sit, stand, or talk.