A jailed activist from the pro-Palestine campaign group Palestine Action has been rushed to hospital after 50 days on hunger strike, with a close relative accusing authorities of leaving the family in "complete agonising silence" for 57 hours.
Deteriorating health and a lack of information
Amu Gib, who is being held at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, began refusing food on November 2. The activist faces charges related to an alleged break-in at RAF Brize Norton, where two RAF Voyager aircraft were spray-painted in a protest action.
According to the campaign group Prisoners for Palestine, Gib's condition "deteriorated rapidly", leading to hospitalisation. The group also claims the prison initially refused to provide a wheelchair, causing a missed GP appointment, and withheld the essential vitamin thiamine for days.
A relative, who is listed as next of kin, stated: "Since 10am on Friday we haven't heard a thing. We are being left in the dark completely, we wouldn't know if Amu is in a coma or had a heart attack... It's been complete agonising silence for 57 hours."
Wider protest and government response
Gib is not alone in the protest. Fellow hunger striker Qesser Zuhrah has also been admitted to hospital. In total, seven inmates involved in the action have required hospital treatment since the protest began.
The prisoners' demands include immediate bail, fair trials, and the closure of Elbit Systems' UK sites. Their legal representatives have warned Foreign Secretary David Lammy that "young British citizens will die in prison" without intervention.
In response, a spokesperson for HMP Bronzefield said all prisoners have full access to healthcare and are regularly assessed. Prisons Minister Lord Timpson stated that while concerning, hunger strikes are not a new issue, with over 200 averaged annually in recent years.
"These prisoners are charged with serious offences including aggravated burglary and criminal damage," he said, adding that remand decisions are for independent judges and it would be "unconstitutional" for ministers to intervene.
A looming crisis and calls for action
Prisoners for Palestine has issued a stark warning, claiming that at the current trajectory, the hunger strikers will die without urgent government action. The group asserts the state is responsible for their welfare while in custody.
The protest has garnered attention, with figures from music groups like The Pogues and Kneecap joining calls for intervention. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice maintains the protest is "unacceptable" and that health is being managed per policy.
With two activists now hospitalised and communication with families breaking down, the situation edges closer to what campaigners describe as a "point of no return".
