Multiple Palestine Action protesters were hospitalized over the past week as some of the activists exceeded 40 days without food, according to social media posts by British officials and media reports.
Of the eight protesters on the hunger strike, five have been hospitalized as of Thursday, according to documents from the activists’ lawyers, which Sky News reviewed.
The hunger strike is thought to be the UK’s biggest since 1981. The protesters were arrested before the UK recognized Palestine Action as a terrorist organization.
Four of the group are accused of playing roles in the break-in to an Israeli-linked defence firm in 2024, and the other four are accused of being involved in an attack on an RAF base in June, where two military jets were damaged.
Kamran Ahmed has been on hunger strike for 33 days and has been hospitalized twice since collapsing in his cell on November 21, the latest hospitalization being on Monday. He has spent a year on remand awaiting trial.
Shahmina Alam, Ahmed’s sister, told Sky News her family fears "the worst call."
"I don't sleep through the night because I'm constantly anticipating a call - the worst call you can get," she said, holding back tears. "I feel like that's the only point when we're going to receive any information about how he's doing. I'm having palpitations all the time."
After reportedly losing 10kg., Ahmed is reportedly suffering from dizziness, shallow breath, and a tightness in his chest as well as high ketone levels.
The document reviewed by Sky News also noted that Qesser Zuhrah, on day 40 of her strike, has a resting pulse above 100 beats per minute.
British politicians react to Palestine Action hunger strike
Labour MP for Hayes & Harlington John McDonnell claimed, “One of the Palestine Action prisoners on hunger strike, Qesser Zuhrah, has been hospitalised. She's lost 13% of her body weight. I am urging David Lammy, the Justice minister, to get engaged now as this is a developing emergency.”
Amy Gardiner-Gibson, also on day 40, is also reportedly suffering the impact of prolonged starvation. The document described her as experiencing twitching in her muscles, and she has now been offered a wheelchair due to her inability to walk.
Gardiner-Gibson, who is charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and conspiracy to enter a prohibited place knowingly for a purpose prejudicial to the safety or interests of the UK, is alleged to have broken into the RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire in June.
MP for Coventry South Zara Sultana warned that the activists “are going to die if there is no intervention from this Labour government.”
“Keir Starmer and David Lammy, blood will be on your hands,” she warned.
While British officials with a track record of sympathy for pro-Palestinian causes have expressed their concern for the protesters, not every MP has been as sympathetic in their response.
Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe commented, “I’d like to state on the record that I have no sympathy whatsoever for the Palestine lunatics on hunger strike begging for attention.
“Get over yourselves. Hungry? Eat a sandwich.
“We don’t care.”